Education

Law School/Year: UC Hastings College of the Law – 1999

College/Year: University of Southern California – B.S., Planning and Development, cum laude, 1995

Bar Admissions

All state and federal courts in California; U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; U.S. Supreme Court

Practice Areas

General Municipal Representation; Real Estate; Public Contracting; Civil Litigation

Major Cases

Before being named as MTS General Counsel in January 2011, Landers worked as a senior deputy county counsel for the County of San Diego, where she represented various departments, including the Department of General Services and the San Diego County Fire Authority.  At the county, Landers negotiated agreements between the county and various public agencies and private entities for public works projects, real estate transactions and development projects; represented the county in negotiations with the State of California for state bond financing; and advised county departments on procurement and contracting issues. Landers represented the county in opposing SDG&E’s proactive shut off plan before the Public Utilities Commission in 2009, and then participated in the Fire Safety Stakeholder Collaboration ordered by the PUC – a 13 month process that required SDG&E to meet regularly with stakeholders, including the county, water districts, communication providers, school districts, fire officials and community groups, regarding its efforts to prevent fires ignited by SDG&E facilities.  Landers also acted as legal counsel for the County Office of Internal Affairs, the Civil Service Commission, the Citizen’s Law Enforcement Review Board, San Diego LAFCO, and non-county special districts.

Professional Background

As MTS General Counsel, Landers represents MTS and its related entities in all legal matters, including real property negotiations, public contracting, regulatory compliance, and Public Records Act requests. Landers oversees work by outside counsel in various litigation or specialized matters. Landers approaches her legal responsibilities as part of a team approach to determine how the agency’s policy and business objectives can be met in an efficient and lawful manner. She begins almost every transaction or negotiation by identifying the risks involved and which party is best able to control or mitigate against a specific risk. An equitable and reasoned resolution generally follows.

Landers began her career as an attorney at Best Best & Krieger LLP in San Diego, where she represented various public agencies in property transactions, contract disputes, labor/employment issues, eminent domain/inverse condemnation and other litigation matters. During this time, she represented MTS as outside counsel in real property transactions and transit projects/litigation.

Professional Affiliations

Member, San Diego County Bar Association

Member, American Public Transportation Association

Member, County Counsels’ Association of California Public Works and Contracting Group (2008-2010)

Member, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito Board of Directors (1999-2008)

Personal Background

Landers is a San Diego native. She lives in Carmel Valley with her husband, attorney Thomas Landers, and two children, Nathan and Nolan. Nathan attends Canyon Crest Academy and plays baseball. Nolan is in preschool and loves all things Star Wars or super hero related, especially costumes.