Colin picture

Colin Tanner

Equity Partner

Orange County

t: (949) 223-1170

d: (949) 250-5402

e: ctanner@awattorneys.com

VCard

Bio

Colin J. Tanner is a founding partner of the firm and Chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group. Mr. Tanner advises the firm’s clients regarding their labor and employment practices, including addressing issues of preventive liability, insurance coverage, and risk management. Mr. Tanner has been admitted to practice before most of the courts and administrative tribunals in California. He has also been admitted to practice in the State of Colorado and is a member of the Bar of the US Supreme Court. Colin is acknowledged as a member of the 2024 Editorial Board for The California Municipal Law Handbook.

In 1990, Mr. Tanner joined the general litigation department of Haight, Brown & Bonesteel. In 1993, Mr. Tanner joined the litigation group of Fainsbert, Mase & Snyder, becoming Chair of the litigation and employment practice groups. In 1999, Mr. Tanner joined Hart, King & Coldren as senior counsel, continuing his litigation and employment practices. In 2000, Mr. Tanner joined Burke, Williams & Sorensen as a contract partner, eventually being invited to be an equity partner, and participating in the firm's public law, labor & employment and business practice groups. In 2003, Mr. Tanner helped found Aleshire & Wynder.

Labor & Employment Special Counsel for:

• City of Bell

• City of Fillmore

• City of Grand Terrace

• City of Irwindale

• City of Lompoc

• City of Morro Bay

• City of Murrieta

• City of Perris

• City of Rancho Palos Verdes

• City of San Dimas

• City of Santa Monica

• City of South El Monte

• City of South Gate

• City of Suisun City

• City of Yuba City

• Foothill Municipal Water District

• Housing Authority of the City of Madera

• Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino

• Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District

• Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority

• Southern Inyo Healthcare District

• Valley County Water District

Labor and Employment Special Counsel for:

• City of Arvin

• City of Carson

• City of Lawndale

• City of Lynwood

• City of Palm Springs

• City of Pasadena

• City of Rialto

• City of Signal Hill

• West Basin Municipal Water District

  • Bar of the US Supreme Court

  • State Bar of California

  • State Bar of Colorado

  • US District Court, Central District of California

  • US District Court, Eastern District of California

  • US District Court, Northern District of California

  • US District Court, Southern District of California

Colin is acknowledged as a member of the 2024 Editorial Board for The California Municipal Law Handbook.

Mr. Tanner has authored or co-authored articles which include:

  • When is an Administrative Decision Final?
  • Peace Officer Retirement Identification Issues and the Related Endorsement to Carry a Concealed Weapon
  • CA Supreme Court Case Permits Use of Pitchess Motions in Administrative Disciplinary Appeals
  • Local Officials Must Participate in Sexual Harassment Prevention Training and Education
  • Diploma Mills: How to Prevent Employees from Buying Questionable Degrees
  • AB 119 Union Access to Employee Orientation; Minor Revisions to Public Records Act
  • DOL Changes CPI Index for LA-RIV-OC in 2018 with New Geographic Areas
  • New Employer Notice to Employees Requirement for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Time Off
  • CalPERS Agencies Must Limit Out-of-Class Appointments to 960 Hours per AB 1487
  • Supreme Court Rules In Janus v. AFSCME That Agency Fees Violate The First Amendment and SB 866 Is Signed Into Law In Response
  • Governor Signs SB 83 Extending Paid Family Leave Benefits
  • Governor Signs SB 188 Prohibiting Discrimination Based on One’s Natural Hair
  • Agreements In Employment Discrimination Cases
  • The Do’s and Don’ts of Retaining Independent Contractors
  • Are Your District’s Independent Contractors Affected by AB 5 and AB 170?

  • SB 931- Public Agencies Beware- PERB Can Award Penalties and Attorneys' Fees for Violations of Government Code Section 3550

  • Employers Have No Duty of Care to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 to Employee's Household

  • AB 1484 Mandates Public Employers to Include Temp. Employees in Permanent Employees' Bargaining Units

• Lake Forest Little League, former Vice President & volunteer manager

• AYSO Region 85, former volunteer coach

• California State Soccer Association – South, Certified Coach

Mr. Tanner is a regular presenter on labor and employment topics, including but not limited to:

  • 2020 CALPELRA 2020 Annual Conference, “Labor Negotiations In Times Of Fiscal Crisis: Strategies For Confronting New Economic Realties”
  • 2019 Public Employer Labor Relations Association of California's 10th Annual Training Conference, “The ‘California Rule’ Under Attack Still Stands – For Now”
  • 50th California Special Districts Association Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase, “Independent Contractor Do’s and Don’ts”
  • 2018 CALPELRA 2018 Annual Conference, “Navigating The CalPERS Administrative Appeals Process”
  • Public Employer Labor Relations Association of California's 9th Annual Training Conference, “Labor Relations 101”
  • Annual Chapter Conference of Northern California Chapter – International Public Management Association – Human Resources (NCCIPMA-HR), “Let the Grieving Process Begin - Evaluating the Grievance Scope, Grievability, Timeliness, and Management Rights as Potential Defenses.”
  • 2017 Annual Chapter Conference of Northern California Chapter – International Public Management Association – Human Resources (NCCIPMA-HR), "When All Else Fails – Gearing Up for Imposition: Prerequisites, Techniques, and Approach."
  •  2016 National Public Employer Labor Relations Board (NPELRA) Labor Relations Academy I: “The Foundation of Labor Relations.”
  • Public Employer Labor Relations Association of California's Training Conference, “Basic Principles And Practices Of Collective Bargaining And Tools Of The Trade.
  • Public Employer Labor Relations Association of California's 7th Annual Training Conference, “Preparing for Negotiation.”

  • University of CA, Hastings, JD, 1990
  • University of CA, San Diego, BA, 1987