Has guided a City in the sale of several public properties and transfer of the City golf course to a public university. Successfully defended a city in an inverse condemnation case brought by a private property owner. Statev Bhalesha, 273 S.W.3d 694 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2008, no writ). Has overseen and filed several condemnation proceedings for his Client Cites. Extensive experience in selling and buying property for cities and obtaining easements and drafting appropriate deeds and transfer documents. Negotiated and guided a city in the sale of a natural gas system. Has guided city clients in multiple annexations and dis-annexations and oversaw litigation for a city client on challenge to annexation. Has advised and oversaw expansions of the ETJ for cities. Has assisted city clients in the application and enforcement of City and state codes and land use laws both in city and ETJ. Instituted and completed multiple condemnations for his city clients.

have assisted in drafting employment manuals and interpreting personnel policies for all city clients, assist in potential termination matters, and EEOC filings.  Claims including EEOC filings and litigation are outsourced through TML-IRP or attorneys Leonard has worked with for over 20 years.

Advise cities on purchasing policies, public contracting, and bidding requirements.

Co-Author and Presented at the TCAA Semi-Annual Meeting in “City Meetings and the First Amendment,” June 14, 2006. Assist all client cities in drafting agenda’s, answer questions on open meetings, rules of procedure, meeting in closed session, and how to avoid violation of the open meetings act.

Water and environmental law may be outsourced for permitting for CCN’s and questions on regulations and regulatory notices from the Public Utility Commission and TCEQ.

Draft ordinances for all municipal clients and setting up Code of Ordinances.

Help coordinate and develop zoning regulations for one Type A City, and continued amendments to zoning regulations for a home rule city client. Assisted and advised cities on land use laws and applications of city regulations to the ETJ.

Formerly represented Economic Development Corporations for two city clients. Has negotiated and drafted over twenty-five development agreements with developers for city clients, including creation of Municipal Utility Districts, Public Improvement Districts, Planned Development Districts, TIRZ districts.

Familiarity with all codes applicable to Municipal Government, including, but not limited to the Alcoholic Beverage Code, Election Code, Government Code, Health & Safety Code, Local Government Code, Natural Resources Code, Occupations Code, Property Code, Tax Code, Utilities Code.  Also familiar with all International Building and Residential Codes, Fire Codes, Electrical and Gas Codes.

Police employment matters that involve potential litigation are sourced out.  Experience in handling sworn complaints against police officers, and experience in recommending outside investigations involving Texas Rangers.

Recently participated in mediation between City and Private Water Provider involving CCN boundary dispute.

Helped guide client cities on how to set rates, order studies, provide notice. Successfully sued two different utility providers and recovered money for damage to City sewer pipeline.

Presented at TCAA Semi-Annual Meeting “Ethics- City Attorneys and the Attorney-Client Privilege,” October 28, 2010.

Provide legal advice to Court clerks and staff, municipal court prosecutor experience.

Assisted city clients many times in conjunction with bond counsel and financial advisors on the issuance of bonds and certificates of obligation. Assist city clients with budget deadlines and publication.

Assist all city clients and city secretaries on drafting ordinances calling general and special elections, charter amendments, sales and use tax, and determining eligibility requirements for candidates, and calendaring deadlines each election cycle.

Successfully defended County Commissioners against a declaratory judgment action and had the claim dismissed. Obtained a judgment against a Hotel for failing to pay Hotel Occupancy Taxes to a City. Oversaw the resolution of a breach of contract claim against a contractor for failing to build a public building driveway to specifications.  The City after filing litigation, received $1 million from the contractor which covered all costs of repair.