Mr. Rolen is the Managing Partner of Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP’s San Francisco office and is the chair of the Public Sector practice group. His vast knowledge of public sector law has provided clients with not only legal, but also the governance, political and public relations expertise necessary to advise public organizations in these challenging times.
Mr. Rolen has over 30 years of legal experience and represents a variety of public school districts, cities, charter schools, county offices, administrators, joint powers and authorities and 501(c)(3) organizations throughout the State of California. Mr. Rolen focuses on labor negotiations, employee discipline, litigation and Board governance issues. Mr. Rolen also has a particular expertise with County Office of Education budgetary issues. He has been retained not only as a hearing officer but also as an expert in special education, governance, personnel practices, sexual molestation standard of care and school district operations. He frequently makes presentations and publishes articles on a variety of novel issues in education law including, privacy and technology, student discipline, cyberbullying, the Brown Act, Public Records Act, litigation and certificated dismissal. Mr. Rolen has been featured in a public policy training series sponsored by the Pepperdine School of Public Policy, and served as a guest lecturer at the University of San Diego and Chapman University. He was featured in a video training series on sexual harassment and a radio expert roundtable on special education. He has been published in such notable publications as the Daily Journal, California Lawyer, JD Supra Business Advisor, Law360, Capital Weekly, California Political News, The Advocate, Leadership Magazine, EdCal, California Policy Center and the Journal of American Law.
Prior to joining Haight Brown & Bonesteel, Mr. Rolen was General Counsel for a large suburban school district in Northern California where he built the legal department from the ground up. In addition to managing the District’s litigation, Mr. Rolen was instrumental in supervising the Risk Management, Workers’ Compensation, Benefits, Insurance, Food Services, Maintenance and Operations, and Transportation Departments.
Mr. Rolen began his career as a Deputy District Attorney. He conducted over 20 jury trials with a high conviction rate. After advancing to Deputy Attorney General for the State of California, Mr. Rolen represented primarily law enforcement and regulatory agencies. He has appeared before the California Court of Appeal on over 30 occasions and has published decisions representing such clients as the California Lottery Commission, California Horse Racing Board, California Highway Patrol and California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Mr. Rolen then became a partner at a law firm and managed the Education law and Public Sector practice group.
Community Involvement
Mr. Rolen has previously served the community as Chairman of the Contra Costa County Substance Abuse Advisory Board, DARE speaker, State Assembly candidate and youth football coach. He also served as a board member of Joint Powers Authorities which offered dental, vision and workers’ compensation benefits.