Thomas MacBride
Of Counsel
Thomas MacBride, Jr. has practiced before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for more than 45 years. He has served as regulatory counsel to a wide variety of entities with interests in matters before the CPUC including ground and water transportation providers, publicly and privately owned water service providers, telecommunications and energy companies, trade associations, municipalities, real estate developers, homeowners’ associations, and independent metering and billing companies. Mr. MacBride has participated in a number of legislative initiatives to reform CPUC procedures, including the 1983 legislation revising provisions of the California Public Utilities Code regarding rehearing of CPUC decisions; the 1985 legislation that expanded the CPUC’s Commission’s authority to exempt certain financial transactions from otherwise applicable statutory requirements for advance formal CPUC approval; and the 1989 legislation that revised the fashion in which CPUC decisions are published. Prior to joining Downey Brand, Mr. MacBride was a partner at the San Francisco firm of Goodin, Macbride, Squeri & Day from 1985 until 2021. Earlier in his career, upon graduation from law school, he joined the staff of the CPUC where he served as Staff Counsel and as the Advisor to the late Commissioner Vernon L. Sturgeon. Mr. MacBride earned his J.D. from the University of California, San Francisco College of the Law.
Kristin N. Capritto
Partner
Kristin Capritto's practice focuses on all aspects of estate, tax, and business planning. She further represents trustees and beneficiaries in trusts and estates litigation matters, in addition to contested and non-contested conservatorship and guardianship matters. Ms. Capritto also frequently advises tax exempt organizations and clients seeking to effectuate philanthropic goals. As an experienced mediator, she has also resolved contentious cases being litigated in both state and federal courts. Ms. Capritto received dual bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Philosophy from California State University, Chico; her law degree from University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law; and her master's in Conflict Resolution from Brandeis University's Heller School of Social Policy and Management. Ms. Capritto frequently speaks and writes for various tax and estate trade organizations and publications, including the California Lawyers Association, various county bar organizations, and other legal education providers.
Rebecca Smith
Partner
Rebecca Smith provides thoughtful, experienced guidance to both public agencies and private sector clients on water rights, groundwater management issues, and environmental compliance, among other topics. A thoughtful and collaborative general counsel, she has special expertise in counseling clients on California Public Records Act (PRA) issues, state and local elections, Brown Act compliance, assessment and fee practices, FPPC compliance, petitions for writs of mandate, and other matters of special concern to public agencies. Ms. Smith is active both in the firm’s Water Law practice and in its well-reputed Food and Ag practice. Because of joint involvement in these complementary practice areas, she lends a special understanding of food production and agricultural legal issues to her water law practice.
Christopher Miles Kolkey
Partner
Christopher Kolkey guide clients through the complexities of litigation and to serve as a passionate advocate on their behalf. He takes a client-tailored approach, shaping litigation strategies around the unique needs and goals of each case. Mr. Kolkey practice centers on complex litigation, with a particular focus on appellate law, construction law, and trust and estate disputes. His appellate litigation practice spans the full lifespan of an appeal from the notice of appeal, designation of the record, and preparation of appellate briefs through petitions for review. Mr. Kolkey also prepares writ petitions and amicus briefs. In the construction arena, Mr. Kolkey represents owners and developers, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and sureties in litigation involving both government entities and private businesses. His trust and estate litigation practice includes representing trustees and beneficiaries in a wide range of disputes. Mr. Kolkey earned his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.
