SAN JOSE, Calif., June 9, 2006 – Sblend A. Sblendorio, a shareholder in Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel, Inc.’s Pleasanton office, has been elected to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for Alameda County, a state-mandated, local agency that oversees boundary changes to cities and special districts and works to ensure the orderly formation of local government agencies to preserve agricultural and open space lands and discourage urban sprawl.

"Sblend is a proven leader – not only in the real estate litigation arena, but within our firm and our community as well.  We are confident that his abilities will extend to his LAFCo role and, via this agency, to the region at large," said Kathy Meier, Managing Shareholder and President, of Hoge Fenton.     

Sblendorio works in Hoge Fenton’s Business Litigation and Real Estate Groups, assisting clients with real estate and commercial negotiations and litigation, including development projects, contract disputes, licensing, acquisitions, and corporate control contests.  He has handled hundreds of cases across a range of industries and in both the federal and California state courts.

Past-President of the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association and Treasurer of the San Francisco Bay Wine Auction, Sblendorio is also an active member of the Livermore Rotary.  The Alameda County Board of Supervisors appointed him chair of its Agricultural Advisory Committee in 2001 and 2002.  Sblendorio received his J.D., cum laude, from Loyola Law School (1983) and his B.S., cum laude, from Santa Clara University (1980).

About Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel, Inc.:

Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel, a 49-attorney firm serving the legal needs of clients in Northern and Central California from its offices in San Jose , Pleasanton and Palo Alto , celebrates more than 50 years of client service.  It provides advocacy representation and advice to both emerging and established companies in business and technology law, real estate and land use development, employment law, and estates, trusts and taxation.  Hoge, Fenton is recognized as one of Northern California 's most highly regarded law firms in the field of trial advocacy.  Several members of the firm have gone on to serve on the Superior Court, U.S. District Court and U.S. Court of Appeals benches.

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