James Koontz

Suite 300 100 Willow Plaza
Visalia, CA 93291-6206

Communication Center
Phone:  (559) 636-0200
E-mail:  jkoontz@dhlaw.net
Fax:  (559) 636-9759
Web site:  www.dhlaw.net

Current Employment Position(s):
Member

Areas Of Practice:
Mr. Koontz’s law practice primarily focuses on the representation of public agency clients. He has experience dealing with public agency issues such as the Brown Act, Public Records Act, conflict of interest laws, competitive public bidding issues, and prevailing wage laws, particularly as they relate to irrigation and water districts. He has experience with water law issues, is familiar with pre-1914, post-1914 and riparian water rights, and has appeared before the State Water Resources Control Board. Mr. Koontz has also worked on a variety of contractual and regulatory issues. For instance, while working as Assistant General Counsel for the Turlock Irrigation District, Mr. Koontz assisted in the CPUC approval process of the District’s purchase of a 225 retail electric service area from Pacific Gas & Electric and in finalizing and closing the transaction, along with post-closing issues, such as the payment of exit fees.

Bar Admissions:
James Koontz was admitted to the California Bar in 2000. He is also admitted to the United States District Court, Eastern District of California.

Education:
Mr. Koontz obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California Davis. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Law and Society from the University of California Riverside. Prior to attending University of California Riverside, he received his Associate of Arts degree from Porterville Junior College.