RBGG partner Ernie Galvan, who successfully argued a much-cited case on behalf of Orange County retirees before the California Supreme Court, commented to the Daily Journal on February 26, 2012 about a Ninth Circuit opinion that allows Sonoma County retirees to pursue their lawsuit over health benefits.
According to the DJ:
“The ruling gives the association a second chance to prove the benefits in question were vested rights. At least four other state and federal appellate rulings have granted public employees in the state that same opportunity. The association’s renewed claim will have to show where in the legislative record the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors promised health benefits to retirees. Ernest J. Galvan, a partner at Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP who argued for the Orange County retirees before the state Supreme Court, argues that is a burden plaintiffs from Sonoma and other municipalities can meet. ‘That is a reaffirmation that when people work in return for certain retirement benefits, the county or municipality can’t decide to balance their budget by reneging on those benefits.'”