{{Infobox Politician

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|education = [[Michigan State University]] <small>([[B.A.]])</small><br />[[Columbia University]] <small>([[Juris Doctor|J.D.]])</small>

'''Louise Renne''' is a lawyer, former Supervisor and one-time City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, California. She was born to Anne Bartrem Hornbeck (1909 - 2001). She succeeded to [[Dianne Feinstein]]'s post upon Feinstein succeeding [[George Moscone]] as mayor in 1978, and Renne served in the seat until 1986, when she resigned to accept Feinstein's appointment of her as City Attorney, succeeding [[George Agnost]] to become the first female City Attorney in San Francisco history. She served in the position until 2001 and was succeeded by current incumbent [[Dennis Herrera]]. Ms. Renne pioneered the model of public interest plaintiff coalitions comprised of government agencies, individuals, and non-profit organizations during her 16-year tenure as San Francisco City Attorney. She is known for transforming the traditionally defense-oriented practice of municipal law by creating an affirmative litigation program that won significant victories for cities and counties in California

Renne is a founding partner at the law firm [https://rennepubliclawgroup.com/ Renne Public Law Group LLP]. She leads the firm’s public interest litigation. As a nationally recognized and respected leader in municipal law, she often testifies before federal, state, and other governmental bodies. She is also frequently requested to conduct impartial investigations for local public agencies in high-profile cases.

== Education ==

She is a graduate of both [[Michigan State University]] (BA) and [[Columbia Law School]] (JD, 1961).<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.law.columbia.edu/media_inquiries/news_events/2005_older/2003/aug_2003/renne_SF|title = Louise H. Renne '61 Honored by Peers|date = August 2003}}</ref>

== Public Interest Cases ==

Some of the public interest cases Ms. Renne has directed include:

· A certified national class action involving 250,000 victims, national and state putative class actions, and individual lawsuits involving elder financial abuse. These suits were brought on behalf of senior citizens against insurance companies, banks, and other entities for the sale of inappropriate annuity products to seniors.

· A lawsuit on behalf of African American employees in private industry for race discrimination, retaliation, and harassment.

· Numerous class-action suits brought on behalf of local public agencies against energy producers, tobacco companies, national banks, gun manufacturers, auto insurers and escrow companies.

Renne was part of the working group of lawyers that led settlement negotiations in Google parent company Alphabet's $310 million settlement in 2020 to resolve litigation related to sexual harassment and misconduct. She also filed shareholder derivative lawsuits against the boards of several major corporations in 2020(including Oracle, Pinterest, Monster Beverage and NortonLifeLock), seeking to bring diversity to boardrooms and c-suites by holding the boards responsible for their false and misleading statements about diversity in the companies’ proxy statements.

== Previous Work Experience ==

Renne served for 16 years as the elected City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco. As City Attorney she was responsible for providing legal expertise and services to more than 60 operating departments and commissions, each tasked with providing essential government services. She modernized the City Attorney’s office, establishing it as a national leader in the practice of public law by creating a vigorous and enterprising 200-lawyer legal department of highly-skilled litigators, negotiators, and advisory attorneys. She energized and streamlined the Office’s advice function, building widely respected legal expertise in every area of municipal operations, ranging from traditional fields such as land use and public safety to the cutting-edge areas of energy regulation and telecommunications. During her time as City Attorney, she worked to implement inclusive hiring guidelines for San Francisco’s police and fire departments to encourage hiring more women. She also established a daycare for City Hall staffers.

Ms. Renne also served as General Counsel for the San Francisco Unified School District, where she led the effort to combat corruption existing at the time and established an in-house legal department, and as the City Attorney for the City of Richmond.

Her prior experience includes:

·Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for 8 years, where she was chair of the Finance Committee.

·California Deputy Attorney General for 11 years. She served in the environmental and criminal divisions, and argued on behalf of the state before the California Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court.

·Worked in private practice for 2 years.

·Staff attorney in the General Counsel’s Office at the Federal Communications Commission for 3 years.

== Community Involvment ==

·Allies United for Children, Chair, Board of Directors

·San Francisco Fine Arts Museums, former member, Board of Directors

·San Francisco Police Commission, former President

·Volunteers of Laguna Honda Hospital, former member, Board of Directors

·American Cancer Society, San Francisco Chapter, former member, Board of Directors

·Friends of the Children, San Francisco Chapter, former Chair, Board of Directors

·PGA’s First Tee program, former member, Board of Directors

·California Regional Water Quality Control Board, former member

·Golden Gate Bridge District, former member, Board of Directors

·California Women Lawyers, former President

== Laguna Honda Foundation ==

As City Attorney, Renne helped steer millions of dollars in tobacco settlement funds towards the Laguna Honda rebuild.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Epstein|first1=Edward|date=November 18, 1998|title=Settlement Will Avert Hospital Bond / Cash found for Laguna Honda -- but not Muni|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle|agency=SF Gate|url=https://www.sfgate.com/health/article/Settlement-Will-Avert-Hospital-Bond-Cash-found-2977524.php|accessdate=27 July 2018}}</ref> She also supported the 1999 bond measure which eventually paid for most of the rebuild.<ref name="2010Report">{{cite web|title=SAN FRANCISCO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2009-2010 ANNUAL REPORT|url=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/files/reports/PolicyProcOfc/2009-2010AnnlRpt/ConsolidatedSFDPHAnnualReport_FY0910.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=sfdph.org|publisher=SF Dept. of Public Health|ref=p. 64}}</ref> Renne then formally established the Laguna Honda Foundation on October 8, 2003.<ref name="OctMinutes">{{cite web|title=JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR LAGUNA HONDA HOSPITAL MEETING Thursday, October 23, 2003|url=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/hc/JCC/LHH/Minutes/JCCLHHM10232003.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=sfdph.org|publisher=SF Dept. of Public Health}}</ref> Claiming LH Foundation would raise "$30 + million for furniture, fixtures and equipment,"<ref>{{cite web|title=JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR LAGUNA HONDA HOSPITAL MEETING Thursday, January 23, 2003|url=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/hc/JCC/LHH/Minutes/JCCLHHM01232003.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=sfdph.org|publisher=SF Dept. of Public Health}}</ref> Renne sought approval from the SF Health Commission in April 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR LAGUNA HONDA HOSPITAL MEETING Thursday, March 25, 2004|url=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/hc/JCC/LHH/Minutes/JCCLHHM03252004.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=sfdph.org|publisher=SF Dept. of Public Health}}</ref>

Although the LH Foundation did hire an Executive Director on June 14, 2004,<ref>{{cite web|title=JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR LAGUNA HONDA HOSPITAL MEETING Thursday, June 26, 2003|url=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/hc/JCC/LHH/Minutes/JCCLHHM06262003.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=sfdph.org|publisher=SF Dept. of Public Health}}</ref> in less than one year (May 19, 2005) Renne placed LH Foundation into suspension,<ref>{{cite web|title=JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR LAGUNA HONDA HOSPITAL MEETING Monday, May 23, 2005|url=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/hc/JCC/LHH/Minutes/JCCLHHM05232005.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=sfdph.org|publisher=SF Dept. of Public Health}}</ref> stating that there “was too much unrest to support any fundraising at this time.” Instead of raising funds for the hospital, Renne re-directed the Foundation “to proactively improve the image of LHH in the media and community.”<ref>{{cite web|title=JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR LAGUNA HONDA HOSPITAL MEETING Monday, November 28, 2005|url=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/hc/JCC/LHH/Minutes/JCCLHHM11282005.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=sfdph.org|publisher=SF Dept. of Public Health}}</ref>

There is no record of LH Foundation making any donations towards rebuilding Laguna Honda Hospital.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Monette-Shaw|first1=Patrick|date=December 2012|title=A Foundation's Dirty Laundry|publisher=Westside Observer|issue=Volume 25, Number 10|url=http://www.westsideobserver.com/pdfs/ObsDec12.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018}}</ref> Critics charged that the main function of LH Foundation was to fund PR activities that inflated Renne's role in saving and re-building Laguna Honda.<ref name="SordidTale">{{cite news|last1=Monette-Shaw|first1=Patrick|date=February 2013|title=Laguna Honda’s Continuing Scandals A Sordid Tale of Two Non-Profits|publisher=West Side Observer|url=http://www.stoplhhdownsize.com/Media13-02_Sordid_Tale_of_Two_Non-profits.html|accessdate=2 July 2018}}</ref>

LH Foundation was active in public relations and marketing <ref>{{cite news|last1=Monette-Shaw|first1=Patrick|date=May 2011|title=Laguna Honda Commingling of Public and Private Funds|publisher=Westside Observer|issue=Volume 24, Number 4|url=http://www.westsideobserver.com/pdfs/may_2011.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018}}</ref> including the renaming and re-branding of Laguna Honda Volunteers, Inc to adopt the name “Friends of Laguna Honda”.<ref name="SordidTale" /> Renne hired her former public relations aide at the City Attorney's office<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lewis|first1=Gregory|date=August 8, 1988|title=50-50 split on tobacco monies|publisher=San Francisco Examiner|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/50-50-split-on-tobacco-monies-3076089.php|accessdate=2 July 2018}}</ref> to run PR for LH Foundation, the hospital and Laguna Honda Volunteers, Inc.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Noyes|first1=Dan|date=May 25, 2010|title=Hospital makes changes after I-Team investigation|publisher=KGO-TV 7 News|url=http://abc7news.com/archive/7461955/|accessdate=2 July 2018}}</ref> A public relations agency was hired,<ref>{{cite web|title=OUR WORK +SEELAGUNA HONDA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Step into the 21st century.|url=https://mission-minded.com/story/laguna-honda-hospital/|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=mission-minded.com|publisher=Mission Minded}}</ref> and printed sidewalk banners were produced.<ref>{{cite web|title=ANNUAL REPORT laguna honda report annual 2012|url=https://lagunahonda.org/sites/default/files/docs/Annual%20Report%202012%20e-version-1.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=lagunahonda.org|publisher=Laguna Honda Hospital}}</ref> Much of the PR culminated in the organizing of a 2010 gala to commemorate the opening of the new Laguna Honda Hospital.<ref>{{cite web|title=Laguna Honda Annual Report 2009-2010|url=https://lagunahonda.org/sites/default/files/docs/Annual_Report_10-5-2010_Final.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=lagunahonda.org|publisher=Laguna Honda Hospital}}</ref> The gala feted Renne as the leader in the hospital's re-building.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bigelow|first1=Miss|date=June 30, 2010|title=Gala marks Laguna Honda Hospital reopening|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle|url=https://www.sfgate.com/health/article/Gala-marks-Laguna-Honda-Hospital-reopening-3183297.php|accessdate=2 July 2018}}</ref> Members of the original Committee to Save Laguna Honda were not part of the gala.

San Francisco's Health Commission initially lauded "the capable leadership of [[Louise Renne]]" in starting the Laguna Honda Foundation,<ref>{{cite web|title=JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR LAGUNA HONDA HOSPITAL MEETING Thursday, September 18, 2003|url=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/hc/JCC/LHH/Minutes/JCCLHHM09182003.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=sfdph.org|publisher=SF Dept. of Public Health}}</ref> but soon became concerned with the function of LH Foundation since it started out claiming it would raise up to $40 million for Laguna Honda Hospital,<ref>{{cite web|title=JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR LAGUNA HONDA HOSPITAL MEETING Thursday, September 18, 2003|url=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/hc/JCC/LHH/Minutes/JCCLHHM09182003.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=sfdph.org|publisher=SF Dept. of Public Health}}</ref> and repeatedly claimed it would pay for the hospital's furniture and equipment.<ref>{{cite web|title=JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR LAGUNA HONDA HOSPITAL MEETING|url=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/hc/JCC/LHH/Minutes/JCCLHHM06262003.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=sfdph.org|publisher=SF Dept. of Public Health}}</ref> Instead, funding for the gala and other activities actually came from Laguna Honda Volunteers Inc, and even city government coffers.<ref name="SordidTale" /> SF Health Commissioners repeatedly asked for representation on the LH Foundation board of directors<ref>{{cite web|title=JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR LAGUNA HONDA HOSPITAL MEETING Monday, September 26, 2005|url=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/hc/JCC/LHH/Minutes/JCCLHHM09262005.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=sfdph.org|publisher=SF Dept. of Public Health}}</ref> to allow for more transparency, and also asked for an open accounting of LH Foundation's finances. However, they were rebuffed on both counts.<ref>{{cite web|title=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/hc/JCC/LHH/Minutes/JCCLHHM01232006.pdf|url=https://www.sfdph.org/dph/hc/JCC/LHH/Minutes/JCCLHHM01232006.pdf|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=sfdph.org|publisher=SF Dept. of Public Health}}</ref>

After continued press scrutiny of LH Foundation and a reported investigation by the California Attorney General,<ref name="SordidTale" /> Renne shuttered the LH Foundation in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Laguna Honda Foundation From 990-EZ|url=http://990.erieri.com/EINS/412112467/412112467_2012_0a6118b4.PDF|accessdate=2 July 2018|website=erieri.com|publisher=Home About ERI Economic Research Institute}}</ref> Laguna Honda Volunteers, Inc. continued to do business under the name Friends of Laguna Honda.<ref name="Friends">{{cite web|date=|title=Friends of Laguna Honda|url=http://www.friendsoflagunahonda.org/|accessdate=2018-06-28|publisher=Friends of Laguna Honda}}</ref>

[[Category:California lawyers]]

[[Category:American women lawyers]]

[[Category:Lawyers from San Francisco]]