Vietnamese American Bar Association of Southern California

Thai Viet Phan, Vice-President

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Rutan & Tucker LLP, Irvine, CA

 

Thai Viet Phan, J.D., M.P.P. is a Government & Regulatory Law associate at Rutan & Tucker, LLP in Irvine. Thai’s practice includes providing advice and counsel to public agencies regarding the Brown Act, conflicts of interest, and constitutional law. She is currently the Assistant City Attorney for the Cities of Duarte and Menifee. Thai also advises private clients on campaign finance regulations pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974. Her litigation experience includes general civil litigation, land use disputes, and municipal code enforcement. Thai is a co-author for the 2019 and 2020 CEB Updates of California Administrative Mandamus.

 

Thai received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from UCLA and her Master of Public Policy and Juris Doctor from USC. As a law student, she externed for the Honorable Dolly M. Gee at the U.S. District Court and worked on civil cases involving civil rights and police misconduct pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1983. While at USC, Thai was involved with the Public Interest Law Foundation and the First Generation Professionals Program and continues to mentor first gen students and recent graduates. Thai is the first Vietnamese American and first Asian woman elected to the Santa Ana City Council. She also serves as a Director to the Metropolitan Water District and a member of the League of California Cities Community Services Policy Committee.

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