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STATE SUPREME COURT CLARIFIES CONTRACTORS' ST ATE LICENSE LAW In late 1999, MW Erectors and Niederhauser Omamental and Metal Works Company entered into two contracts for "structurar and "omamentalD steel vvork in connection 'v'\IÎth the construction of a hotel. MW began vvork under the structural contract on December 3, 1999, but did not receive its C-51 structural steel contractor's license until December 21, 1999. MW started vvork under the omamental contract in early January 2000. Subsequently, MW sued Niederhauser, seeking amounts due under both contracts. The trial court dismissed the lawsuit because MW was not property licensed at all times during the performance of the contract as required by the Contractors' State Ucense Law (CSLL). But the court of appeal re- versed. The court held that MW could seek to recover compensation for vvork performed under the contracts once MW had obtained its C-51 license on December 21. This year on July 14, the state Supreme Court handed down its ruling. The Court held, in part, that (1) the CSLL bars one from suing to recover for any compensation under an agreement for services requiring a contractor's license unless the proper licensure was in place at all times during the perfor- mance of the agreement; (2) the CSLL does not permit a contractor Vllho was unlicensed at any time during the contractual performance to recover compensation for any acts performed Vllhile duly licensed; and (3) a contractor fully licensed during the performance of the contract may recover com- pensation even if not fully licensed at the time the contract was executed. The League filed a friend-of-the-court brief in this matter because cities are invariably in the category of owners Vllho have an interest in adherence to the licensure laws at all times. The court of appeal's decision eviscerated an important defense against the claims of unlicensed contractors. The Legal Advocar:ý Committee thanks Kimberty Bariow and Elena Gerii of Jones & Mayer for 'tJIIIiting the friencl-of-the-court brief. Their brief may be reviewed at www.cacities.org/recentfilings. ð/- ý' RIVERSIDE MA VOR RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP Former League President and Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge was presented with the Tom Bradley Leadership award on June 28, at the National Association of Regional Councils' (NARC) annual conference in Monterey. The award recognizes leadership excellence in advocating regional concepts, approaches, and programs in all levels of govemment. Mayor Loveridge was nominated by the Southem Califomia Association of Govemments (SCAG) for his leadership and commitment to improving the transportation network in and maintaining a high quality of life in Southem Califomia. A member of the SCAG Regional Council since 1995, Loveridge is currently the chair of the SCAG Benchmarks Task Force. The Task Force has guided the preparation of the State of the Region Report (an annual report on seven key polir:ý areas in the region) since 1998, and is made up of local elected officials and regional issue experts in Southem Califor- nia. "I am truly honored by this recognition,D Loveridge said in a news release. "Elected leaders, such as myself, are increasingly recog- nizing that the issues examined in the State of the Region Report extend beyond city and county limits, making it imperative that we work together as regions to improve our collective quality of life." The League congratulates Mayor Loveridge on his being awarded this honor. Visit the League's Official Websiteuwww.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 5 .~ 11"