Nicholas J. Clair is Senior Counsel in Lozano Smith's Sacramento Office. Mr. Clair focuses on local government and facilities and business issues for public agencies. Mr. Clair advises clients on a variety of transactional matters affecting special districts and local governments, including the Brown Act, California Public Records Act, Proposition 218, elections law, ethics, governance, financing, CEQA, and human resources.
Experience
Prior to joining Lozano Smith, Mr. Clair was a Legislative Analyst for the California Special Districts Association. As a Legislative Analyst, Mr. Clair executed the Amicus Curia Advocacy Program by identifying cases of interest, working with local government stakeholders to coordinate amicus efforts, and participating in the brief writing process. He drafted legal documents including an amicus brief challenging a decision issued by the Commission on State Mandates and a comment letter to the California Attorney General regarding Brown Act meeting notice requirements. He also produced legal opinions, detailed bill analyses, support/opposition letters, and drafted statutory language.
Education
Mr. Clair received his Juris Doctor degree with distinction from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. Mr. Clair also received a certificate of concentration in Business Law. Upon graduation from McGeorge, Mr. Clair became a member of the Roger J. Traynor Honor Society. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in International and Comparative Politics from the University of Akron.
Dive into the evolving world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the first episode in our new series, designed to cut through the hype and uncover the real impact of AI on public agencies. Lozano Smith's Managing Partner, Karen M. Rezendes, along with Lozano Smith attorneys Robert A. Lomeli, Karina Demirchyan, and Nicholas J. Clair, offer a foundational exploration of AI technologies like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini. This episode provides an accessible overview on how public employees are leveraging AI, the importance of keeping humans in the loop, and practical examples of AI in school environments and beyond. The team also addresses crucial concerns such as bias, accuracy, and the legal landscape surrounding AI, including copyright issues and cybersecurity risks. As we embark on this series, join us for essential insights and recommendations to navigate AI's promising yet challenging terrain in public agency operations.
