About Ariel Pierre
Ariel Pierre Calonne is a licensed attorney admitted to practice law in the State of California. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1989. His license is currently in active status. Mr. Calonne serves as the City Attorney for the City of Santa Barbara, California, overseeing legal affairs for the city. His office is located at 740 State Street, Suite 201, Santa Barbara, CA 93102.
Mr. Calonne earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. Prior to law school, he completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Riverside, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He graduated from UC Riverside in 1979 and from UC Hastings in 1988.
Mr. Calonne specializes in municipal law, providing legal counsel to city governments on a range of issues, including public records, First Amendment rights, and open government matters. His practice encompasses all stages of legal proceedings, including litigation, appeals, negotiations, and trials. He has authored numerous articles and amicus curiae briefs on topics such as public records and governmental immunity.
Throughout his career, Mr. Calonne has held several prominent positions. He served as the City Attorney for Palo Alto, California, from 1990 to 2003, and as the City Attorney for Boulder, Colorado, from 2003 to 2007. Prior to his tenure in Palo Alto, he was with the Los Angeles law firm of Richards, Watson & Gershon, where he served as city attorney for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and principal assistant city attorney for Palmdale and Westlake Village. He began his career as an associate with Best, Best & Krieger in Riverside, California.
Mr. Calonne is an active member of the California State Bar and has been involved in various professional organizations. He served as President of the City Attorneys’ Department of the League of California Cities in 1998-1999 and was named Public Lawyer of the Year in 2003 by the Public Law Section of the State Bar of California. In 2006, the Colorado Metro City Attorneys Association honored him with the Outstanding City Attorney award. He has also been involved in community initiatives and has been recognized for his contributions to public law and open government.
