Contact Information

555 Capitol Mall 9th Floor

Sacramento CA 95814

916.444.3900

iyang@mhalaw.com

Practice Focus

Land Use

Public Law

Redevelopment

Transaction Law

Iris P. Yang | Shareholder

Professional Experience

Iris practices redevelopment, public law and land use (both transactional and litigation). On the transactional side, she has helped numerous public agencies adopt and amend redevelopment plans, negotiate development agreements for affordable housing projects, shopping centers, mixed-use projects and performing arts centers. In addition, she has represented clients on a variety of litigation matters, including land use and CEQA issues, First Amendment challenges, validation actions and conflicts of interest. She serves as the City Attorney of the City of El Paso de Robles, and co-general counsel to the Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) and the First Five Yuba Commission. She also serves as special counsel to a number of public agencies on a variety of issues including conflicts of interest, lobbying, economic disclosure, and campaign finance, and has represented both public and private clients before the state Fair Political Practices Commission.

She is co-author of Redevelopment in California, the third edition of which was published by Solano Press in March, 2004 and the 2007 Supplement to Redevelopment in California. She wrote and since 1995 has prepared the annual updates for the California chapter of Lobbying, PACs and Campaign Financing – 50 State Handbook, published by West Publishing Company. In addition, she has been an editor of the California Municipal Law Handbook, published by the League of California Cities. She has presented classes on various aspects of redevelopment law and practice for the Redevelopment Institute, the education arm of the California Redevelopment Association, and the University of California extension. She also has conducted ethics training seminars mandated by AB 1234.

From 1974 to 1982, Iris worked as a reporter for The Sacramento Bee, covering local government and legal affairs. In 1978, she received a Public Service Award for Distinguished Reporting on the Administration of Justice from the State Bar of California.

Presentations/Publications

Co-author, "Court of Appeal Holds 10-Day Notice of Hearing on Zoning Amendment Cannot Be Given Until Receipt of Planning Commission Recommendation," Public Law Legal Bulletin, McDonough Holland & Allen PC, January 2008

Co-Author, Amicus Curiae Brief to U.S. Supreme Court, Kelo v. City of New London

Co-Author, Redevelopment in California, Solano Press, 1995 (updated annually).

Co-Author, Lobbying, PACs and Campaign Finance: 50 State Handbook, West Publishing Company (updated annually).

Redevelopment Institute, California Redevelopment Association, 1997 - present (twice annually)

Lecturer, University of California, Davis, extension

Leadership Positions/Affiliations

Member, American Bar Association – Local Government Section

Member, State Bar of California – Local Government Section

Member, Sacramento County Bar Association – Public Law Section

Member, Asian Bar Association of Sacramento

Member, Women Lawyers of Sacramento

Member, Central California Appellate Program – Board of Directors

Member, California Redevelopment Association

Honors/Awards

Recognized as a 2004 Northern California Super Lawyer®

MHALaw Search

Admitted to Practice

State Bar of California, 1982

Education

University of California,

Davis, School of Law

J.D., 1982

Editor, UC Davis Law Review

Stanford University

M.A., Communications, 1977

Wellesley College

B.A., English and Art History, 1972