Cummins & White Attorney Michael Houston Named General Counsel for Association of California Cities–Orange County

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cummins & White, LLP, a well-known diversified business and insurance law practice, announced that partner Michael R.W. Houston was named general counsel for the Association of California Cities–Orange County (ACC-OC), a newly formed non-profit group established to advocate on behalf of and provide critical resources to elected city officials and municipal staff within Orange County.

The ACC-OC is a clearinghouse for the development of sound regional public policy solutions and is focused on public policy concerns that are critical to municipal government, including redevelopment, regional housing, and pension reform. Along with its advocacy efforts, ACC-OC is committed to serving as an educational resource for city leaders, planning collaborative events and educational forums in which city officials and staff share best practices and ideas to better serve their constituents.

In his new position as general counsel, Houston will guide the ACC-OC on its day-to-day operations as a nonprofit organization. He also will provide valuable input on a wide variety of pertinent public policy issues, leveraging his background in municipal law and experience representing government agencies.

“We are very pleased to have secured Michael Houston as legal counsel for the Association of California Cities–Orange County,” said Lacy Kelly, chief executive officer of ACC-OC. “Michael’s acumen in the area of public policy, as well as nonprofit law makes him a perfect addition to the ACC-OC professional team and our Board of Directors.”

Houston said his appointment at ACC-OC is an excellent fit with his expertise in representing nonprofits, as well as his experience representing municipal agencies and helping private businesses navigate local laws and regulations. “I am delighted to be working with ACC-OC,” he said. “Its entrepreneurial approach is quickly making it the definitive group for good public policy in municipal government. It is dedicated to having cities work together to identify innovative solutions to key issues facing Orange County and all of California.”

Houston recently joined Cummins & White as a member of its real estate practice and is leading the firm’s expansion into government agency law, land use, and election law. He has more than 10 years of experience handling real estate transactions, regulatory matters, and litigation focused on advising public agencies and private parties about how to develop property in California’s complex regulatory environment. Houston also is among a small group of California lawyers with an active political law, election law, and government ethics law practice.

In addition to Houston’s appointment as general counsel, Cummins & White announced that it joined the ACC-OC as an affiliate non-voting board member, providing an opportunity for the firm to collaborate with city officials at the policy level on issues that pertain to its clients in Orange County and beyond.

About ACC-OC

The Association of California Cities–Orange County (ACC-OC) is a non-profit organization founded in February 2011 that serves as the hub for good public policy in Orange County and a strong voice for Orange County’s cities. The association is committed to protecting local control and promoting good governance and policy making among Orange County’s elected officials. It offers a vast array of benefits and resources for its members, who include elected officials and municipal staff from 25 Orange County cities, as well as representatives from for-profit companies and other non-profit organizations. For more information, visit www.accoc.org.

About Cummins & White

Cummins & White, LLP, is recognized as one of California’s premier business, insurance, and criminal defense law firms. The Newport Beach-based firm is engaged in general civil litigation and transactional practices, which include insurance coverage, business, estate and tax planning, healthcare, real estate, and liability defense. The firm was founded in 1951 and has 18 partners and associates. For more information, visit www.cumminsandwhite.com.

Cummins & White, LLP
René Brookbank, 949/852–1800
rbrookbank@cwlawyers.com

Source: Cummins & White, LLP