RFQ General Counsel by Kings River Conservation District Jan 16, 2026 Location Fresno, CA Submission Deadline 02/27/2026 How to Submit Responses must be submitted electronically in PDF format no later than February 27, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. to: David Merritt, General Manager dmerritt@krcd.org 4886 E. Jensen Ave. Fresno, CA 93725 1-559-237-5567 Kings River Conservation District (KRCD) Request for Qualifications – General Counsel Legal Services Kings River Conservation District (KRCD) is requesting qualifications from experienced attorneys or law firms to provide General Counsel legal services. KRCD is a public agency established in 1951 and serves approximately 1.2 million rural acres across portions of Fresno, Kings, and Tulare Counties. The selected General Counsel will serve at the pleasure of the KRCD Board of Directors and will advise the Board, executive leadership, and staff on a broad range of legal matters supporting District operations, programs, and statutory responsibilities. KRCD’s General Counsel will provide legal guidance related to public agency governance and compliance, including the Brown Act, Public Records Act, conflict-of-interest laws, and related requirements. Counsel will support KRCD’s contracting and administrative service responsibilities for regional partner organizations such as the Kings River Water Quality Coalition, Kings Water Alliance, and Kings Basin Water Authority, and will also provide legal support related to KRCD’s role in collaborative fisheries management efforts and partnership agreements. The scope of services includes providing legal advice, preparing legal opinions and memoranda, attending Board meetings and other meetings as requested, and drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, agreements, and other legal documents as needed. In addition to governance and general legal support, the General Counsel will advise on matters involving water law and environmental regulations, employment law, land use, and applicable state and federal compliance requirements, including CEQA/NEPA as necessary. Counsel will also provide guidance on real estate-related issues such as easements, rights-of-way, and encroachment permits, and assist with elections requirements and broad financial matters, including bonding. The selected attorney or firm may represent KRCD in administrative, civil, or regulatory proceedings when needed and will collaborate with any existing special counsel providing services to the District. AB 1234 compliance training or other training may also be requested as part of the engagement. Applicants must be admitted to practice in the State of California and be in good standing with the State Bar of California. A minimum of seven (7) years of experience representing public agencies is required, along with demonstrated knowledge of California water law, public agency law, and laws governing special districts. The successful respondent will demonstrate strong communication skills, responsiveness, and the ability to provide timely legal support. Respondents must disclose any conflicts of interest that could limit their representation of KRCD. Responses must include a cover letter, a firm or attorney profile, a description of qualifications and comparable experience, identification of key personnel who will provide the services, an approach to delivering the scope of work, a proposed fee structure (including hourly rates and any retainer or alternative fee arrangements), at least three public agency references, a conflicts of interest disclosure, and a proposed form of legal services agreement. Qualifications must be submitted electronically in PDF format no later than February 27, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. Submissions should be emailed to David Merritt, General Manager, Kings River Conservation District, at dmerritt@krcd.org. KRCD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all submissions, waive irregularities, and negotiate a final agreement in the best interest of the District. The KRCD Board of Directors will make the final selection, and selected respondents may be invited to interview.
