With extensive experience in procurement, contracts, real property, and bond-funded public works projects, Rachel advises clients on a variety of transactional and corporate matters.
Rachel devotes the majority of her practice to the representation of educational institutions, particularly community college districts. Since 2017, she has managed legal services for the Department of General Services for a four-campus community college district with a $1,190 billion general obligation bond program. She deftly advises clients regarding all aspects of a bond program, from facilities master planning and team building to project delivery method, procurement, and contractor selection. She regularly drafts and negotiates the associated vendor, professional services, and construction agreements. Rachel also provides internal training to better educate college staff, demystifying legal procedures and explaining the legal requirements and processes involved in the use of public funds.
Rachel also represents clients in a wide array of sophisticated real property transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, exchanges, leasing, surplus property requirements, and compliance with statutory and regulatory procedures such as the California Environmental Quality Act, and Field Act.
In addition to her higher education work, Rachel also performs general corporate services for emerging businesses and bond-related work for other clients, primarily public sector entities. She is extensively experienced with business transactions, statutory compliance, and governance issues work for K-12 public school districts.
Rachel is passionate about representing mission-oriented clients: she greatly respects public sector administrators and values the opportunity to serve as a legal lifeline for their organizations. She often works with clients over many years and finds it deeply rewarding to build long-term relationships and help staff and institutions grow and develop overtime.
Known for her attention to detail and her analytical mind, Rachel has a reputation for heavy preparation and airtight contracts—a former litigator, she knows nothing can be left to interpretation. She always knows what the sticking points are in any deal, and she has a gift for building a rapport across the table that will ensure clients get the best deal possible.