Wendy L. House
Partner
Wendy House brings over 15 years of municipal and public agency law experience to Devaney Pate Morris and Cameron. She currently serves as the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Del Mar representing the Planning Commission, and assists several community college districts and special districts. Ms. House also provides special counsel services to numerous other public agencies throughout the State.
Ms. House has previously served as the Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Marcos, and as a Deputy City Attorney for the Cities of Murrieta, Encinitas, and Lemon Grove. Prior to practicing as an attorney, she worked in the field of emergency planning for Heartland Fire and Rescue, serving the Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove, and assisted the Office of Homeland Security for the City of San Diego.
Ms. House's practice areas include general municipal and public agency law, government relations, administrative law, public contracts, code enforcement, public works, prevailing wage, land use, planning and zoning, affordable housing, environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act, the Coastal Act, the Ralph M. Brown Act, the Public Records Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Political Reform Act, conflicts of interest, ethics, campaign finance and elections laws, employment law, personnel matters and investigations, public safety, and emergency planning.
Municipal & Public Entity Law. Ms. House has advised a number of public entity clients on general municipal law matters, including representing City Councils and various commissions and committees in general, special and closed session meetings; advising public officials and employees; drafting and presenting on ordinances and resolutions; drafting and reviewing standard contract forms, policies and procedures; drafting code enforcement and litigation pleadings; and representing public entity clients at administrative hearings.
Open Government and Ethics. Ms. House has advised and presented on compliance with governmental ethics laws, including conflicts of interest laws, Parliamentary Procedure, the California Public Records Act, and the Ralph M. Brown Act.
Land Use, Planning & Zoning. Ms. House has advised Planning Commissions on general land use, planning and zoning matters, including coastal development; and has drafted development agreements, lease agreements, purchase and sale agreements, encroachment permits, conservation easements, CC&Rs, and other land use entitlements and agreements.
Public Works/Construction. Ms. House has advised and presented to public entities regarding compliance with prevailing wage and public contracting laws; drafted and reviewed public works and construction contracts; advised on bid protests; and has appeared before labor boards in settlement and negotiations conferences.
Labor & Employment Law. Ms. House provides advice on employment and personnel issues, including employment contracts, termination procedures, performance reviews, and discrimination matters, and has conducted several personnel investigations.
Campaign & Elections Law. Ms. House has served as special counsel for several public entities on local campaign election and finance laws; advised on compliance with the Fair Political Practices Commission regulations and the Political Reform Act; and advised and presented on initiatives and referenda. She has drafted several successful ballot and bond measures, including a $3.3 billion bond measure for the San Diego Community College District.
- Municipal Law & Public Entity Law
- Open Government & Ethics
- Labor & Employment Law
- Public Works & Construction
- Land Use, Planning & Zoning
- Campaign & Election Law
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law, J.D., Cum Laude, 2009
- San Diego State University, B. A., Cum Laude, 2006
- State of California, 2009
- California Bar Association
- San Diego County Bar Association
- Member, California Lawyers Association, Public Law Sectionh
- City Attorneys' Association of San Diego County
- Editorial Board Member, San Diego Lawyer Magazine