KP

Tony Francois

Contact Information

1201 K Street, Suite 800
Sacramento, CA 95814

Direct: 916-498-7722

Main: 916-448-2162

Fax: 916-448-4923

E-Mail: tfrancois@ka-pow.com

 Professional Experience

Tony François is a California attorney and a registered lobbyist with the Sacramento firm of KP Public Affairs, where he represents clients' interests principally in the areas of agriculture, oil and gas, and water resources. He is also closely involved in the State of California's ongoing regulatory processes to implement AB 32 (the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006), which will establish mandatory carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas reductions for industries doing business in California.

Prior to joining KP Public Affairs, Mr. François served as Director of Water Resources in the Government Affairs Division of the California Farm Bureau Federation, the state’s largest general farming organization. In that capacity he represented the Farm Bureau’s interests in the areas of water supply, water rights, water quality, and flood control in the state legislature, regulatory agencies, and courts. Prior to joining the Farm Bureau, Mr. François was with McQuaid Bedford and Van Zandt, LLP in San Francisco. There he represented landowners, special districts, and small businesses in various matters relating to water rights, land use, and business disputes before state and federal courts and agencies in California, Nevada, Washington, Idaho, and Arizona.

Mr. François has been deeply involved in the ongoing transfer of responsibility for watermaster service in northern California from the Department of Water Resources to local agencies. He has worked on managing the integration of budget and policy legislation in the state Legislature with public relations, local government and industry relations, and legal action to save farmers and ranchers several million dollars in assessments and transfer responsibility for oversight of decreed water rights from state to local agencies.

Mr. François is a recognized expert in California water policy and Western water law, and a frequent speaker at conferences on those topics.

Education

Mr. Francois graduated with honors from the University of San Francisco with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a certificate in liberal arts from the Saint Ignatius Institute. He earned his law degree with honors from the University of California Hastings College of the Law.

Professional Memberships and Activities

Mr. François is an active member of the State Bar of California. He also serves as an officer and director of Friends of the Saint Ignatius Institute, and served as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Campion College of San Francisco. He and his wife have six children and reside near Sacramento. They are active in various educational and charitable fundraising activities.