Of Counsel, San Diego
750 B Street
Suite 3300, Symphony Towers
San Diego, CA 92101-8105

TEL: 619.595.8032
FAX: 619.595.5450
EMAIL: lgirard@mckennalong.com

PROFILE

Les Girard focuses his practice primarily on assisting clients with government affairs issues.  His experience encompasses the gamut of local government law including land use and redevelopment initiatives; open meeting, regulatory, and ethics laws; and public/private partnerships and public finance.

Immediately prior to joining McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, Les served as Assistant City Attorney for Special Projects for the City of San Diego, California.  During his 24 year tenure with the City, Les was responsible for overseeing special projects including the City’s Ballpark and Redevelopment Project, developed in partnership with the San Diego Padres; matters relating to the San Diego Chargers; and other high profile projects assigned by the City Attorney.  He also served as a liaison between the City Attorney and the Mayor, City Council and City Manager, advising City officials on numerous issues, including the investigations into the City’s fiscal crisis. 

Prior to his appointment as Assistant City Attorney, Les served in both the Criminal and Litigation Divisions of the City Attorney’s office.  His civil litigation duties included oversight of litigation relating to special projects, several of which were high profile, complex projects and lawsuits including negotiations with the San Diego Chargers.  He also oversaw litigation matters in regards to land use and environmental issues, personal injury, police tort and personnel matters.  Les served as the primary appellate lawyer for the Litigation Division and successfully represented the City in a number of significant appellate matters.  Les also represented the City before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and California Public Utilities Commission on energy related matters.