Arthur A. Hartinger

Earlier this year, Hartinger said, he was consumed with representing the city in a case involving seven black Richmond police officers who had sued the department for discrimination.

In April, a Contra Costa County jury ruled against the officers. Booker v. City of Richmond, MSC07-00408 (Contra Costa County Super. Ct.).

"I tried the case for over three months straight," Hartinger said. "We got good results. There was a unanimous verdict on every one of the claims. It sends a pretty strong message."

The case was very emotional, he said, and hotly contested.

"Anytime you have a case involving seven African-Americans and veteran police officers, accusing a white, gay chief from the Midwest of racism, that in itself is a challenge to overcome," Hartinger said.

But, he added, "We chose to take the high road and not make the chief's sexual orientation an issue, and to put the facts out as best we could. People drew their own conclusions."

The police chief proved to be an ideal witness, Hartinger said, adding, "He's articulate, obviously progressive and didn't harbor any bias."

A large part of Hartinger's practice is helping public agencies deal with escalating employment benefit costs.

"A number of agencies are struggling to deliver city services and asking us to help, particularly with labor organizations, to achieve resolution and lower costs," he said.

Among his clients is the City of Stockton, which recently filed for bankruptcy protection.

"I helped the City Council develop a policy on future fiscal sustainability and how to deal with labor contracts," Hartinger said.

But, he added, there are no quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions to fiscal problems.

It comes down to establish fundamental fairness, he said, adding, "There has to be a balance."

- PAT BRODERICK