City Attorney

Biography

Kenneth J. Richardson has served as the City Attorney for the City of Visalia since 2016 and has represented various public agency entities throughout his career. He has extensive municipal law experience, including advising city governments on matters involving land use and planning, complex transactions and economic development, affordable housing, major public works projects, policy and ordinance development, and code enforcement.

Ken also has extensive experience representing public agency clients in environmental and water law matters. His work includes significant interaction with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies on water quality compliance, environmental property cleanup, CEQA and NEPA compliance, water rights, and environmental due diligence for real estate and asset transfers. Prior to practicing law, Ken earned his doctorate in environmental science and worked as a water quality scientist for California’s largest water purveyor.

Ken is committed to assisting city councils, boards, commissions, and other governing bodies navigate legal risks and ensure regulatory compliance at the local, state, and federal levels. He is passionate about contributing to the strategic decision-making processes that support thriving, sustainable communities, and his legal counsel emphasizes both practical insights and innovative solutions to community challenges.

Ken remains dedicated to supporting city leaders in creating effective, legally sound policies that foster community development and long-term sustainability. He strives each day to help the City of Visalia build a stronger, more resilient community by providing guidance on the legal aspects that shape successful local governance.

Bar Admissions:
California State Bar (all Courts in State). Admitted: June 1, 1998. Status: Active, No Record of Discipline or Public Administrative Proceedings.

Colorado State Bar (all Courts in State). Admitted: October 26, 1997. Status: Voluntarily Inactive.

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, Central District of California, Southern District of California and 9th Circuit Court of Appeal. Admitted: June, 1998. Status: Active.

Bar Association Memberships:
Tulare County Bar Association
California Bar Association
American Bar Association

Education:
Juris Doctorate Degree - University of Arizona College of Law (Tucson, AZ), May 1996
Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Microbiology & Immunology) - University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), December 1989
Bachelor of Arts Degree (Microbiology & Immunology) - University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) May 1986

Legal Experience:
Peltzer & Richardson, LC (Visalia, CA) - Partner/Attorney - 2013 to present
Dooley Herr & Peltzer, LLP and Dooley Herr Peltzer & Richardson, LLP (Visalia, CA) - Partner/Attorney - 2005-2013
Procopio Cory Hargreaves and Savitch (San Diego, CA) - Associate Attorney - 2003-2005
Hatch & Parent (San Diego, CA) - Associate Attorney - 2001-2003
Daley & Heft, LLP (Solana Beach, CA) - Associate Attorney - 2000-2001
Dooley & Herr, LLP (Visalia, CA) - Associate Attorney - 1997-2000
Arizona General Stream Adjudication, Special Master John E. Thorson (Phoenix, AZ) - Judicial Law Clerk -1996

Other Professional Experience:
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) - Research Microbiologist - 1990-1993