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Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP

Roy A. Combs

Partner

Oakland
rcombs@f3law.com
D 510.550.8220
Roy A. Combs

What can I solve for you?

I bring the skill sets I’ve attained in more than three decades as an attorney—nearly 10 of those as an in-house school district general counsel and chief labor negotiator—to help solve an array of legal and operational problems my clients encounter. These range from complex, big-picture issues to smaller, day-to-day matters that arise in governance, school board and leadership concerns, collective bargaining, personnel, litigation, operations, and other areas.

What's it like to work with me?

I fully understand the nuances, uniqueness and dynamics of education agencies, their governing bodies, and their operations. I focus on clients' goals and draw on my experience and creativity to facilitate solutions to complex legal and operational issues, and to negotiate provisions in collective bargaining agreements that help schools and education agencies do their jobs and improve learning. In handling impact litigation, I distill complicated concepts into clear, compelling language, which helps my clients prevail, shapes the law, and ultimately enhances students’ ability to learn.

Top Issues in My Practice

  • #litigation
  • #brownact
  • #collectivebargaining
  • #conflictresolution
  • #employeediscipline
  • #governance

Overview

Highly regarded across California for his excellent client service, integrity, candor, insight and the positive impact he’s had in sculpting the contours of education law, Roy Combs brings extensive experience in helping clients navigate challenges. Roy counsels and represents school districts, governing boards, agency senior executives and administrators and others on the full spectrum of education-related legal issues. They include such matters as collective bargaining, labor and employment, governance, litigation, personnel, Brown Act, conflict-of-interest, facilities, construction, and risk management.

When advising on pivotal governance matters, which can often influence the direction a school district takes, Roy works closely with school boards and leaders to support their policy goals. He enjoys helping them analyze issues, communicate effectively, come to resolutions as a team, and improve the operations of the organization. This collaborative success often translates into better pedagogical policies and classroom environments that helps teachers educate students.

Roy frequently serves as an agency’s lead negotiator in collective bargaining, including through impasse and post impasse proceedings and strikes. In providing this invaluable service, Roy always keeps an eye on the procedural twists and turns that can either promote or impede a school district from successfully performing its duties. Clients appreciate that he knows how and when to implement his situationally specific approaches to generate the most optimal outcomes possible. A CTA-certified “Trainer of Trainers” in Interest-Based Bargaining, Roy provides knowledge and experience in conducting traditional and non-traditional bargaining approaches, and in IBB negotiations and trainings for bargaining teams.

As a litigator representing clients in many different venues, including state and federal trail courts, the California Court of Appeals and in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Roy brings a dynamic presence and a calm manner to the courtroom or around the negotiation table. He draws on an uncanny ability to secure and retain the attention and intention of decision-makers and opposing counsel. Fully aware of the interplay between the science and art in trial work, Roy is known as an outstanding trail lawyer. Yet he always demonstrates respect for all parties involved.

A strong proponent of alternative dispute resolution as an effective method for settling disputes, Roy has participated in hundreds of ADR proceedings. He also serves as a mediator for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, as well offering mediation services through the firm. In addition, every year Roy delivers a presentation for the School Employers Association of California (SEAC), on labor issues, post-impasse and strike matters, and other topics, and is a presenter at numerous education conferences.

In all that he does as an attorney, Roy has earned a reputation for examining issues from multiple perspectives, using analysis to generate better answers, and, as he puts it, “pressure-testing” proposals to see if they measure up. He has the utmost respect for educators and administrators and their dedication to the students they serve.

Experience Highlights

  • Served as the appointed panel member in multiple fact-finding proceedings under the EERA.
  • Successfully defended school district in Federal Court proceedings alleging ADA violations.
  • Defended school district in the Vegara v. State of California et al., gaining its dismissal, and subsequently representing ACSA as amicus counsel in appellant proceedings.
  • Successfully defended school district against a challenge to Stull Act evaluation procedures.
  • Lead counsel for school district in a successful complex California Judicial council coordinated litigation against general contractor advancing multiple claims surrounding construction of a new high school, including removal of the contractor and recoveries against surety bonds, CGL, Builders’ Risk, and AE policies.

After School

When I’m not helping clients, I enjoy spending time with my wife, traveling, listening to jazz, hiking and enjoying the outdoors. I’m also a car enthusiast and like working on cars. That is, I’ve broken more bolts than I care to admit.

Education

  • University of California, Berkeley School of Law (J.D.)
  • University of California, Berkeley (Double Major)

    Majors in Political Science and Development Studies

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • California
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Central District, California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District, California
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District, California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District, California

Related Services

  • Litigation
  • Governance & Leadership
  • Employment Law
  • Investigations
  • Labor Relations & Negotiations

Related Clients

  • Public Education K-12
  • Community Colleges
  • Higher Education

Presentations

  • Personnel Implications of a Strike - 2022 - Association of California School Administrators
  • Impasse Procedures Under EERA: 'Uh Oh! - SEAC
  • Brown Act and Governance trainings

 

Roy's Insights

  1. Newsflash
    Timing of Annual Organizational Meetings Revised
    November 2020
    2 minute read
  2. Newsflash
    COVID-19: Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Expanded FMLA
    March 2020
    3 minute read
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