John Cardenas

Of Counsel

John Cardenas is Of Counsel at Aleshire & Wynder, where he provides practical, results-oriented legal advice across all aspects of municipal law. He brings more than two decades of senior leadership and legal experience from the U.S. Foreign Service, combining deep expertise in administrative law with a sophisticated understanding of public-sector governance.

John advises public agencies on public procurement, personnel and ethics matters, fiscal law, and infrastructure development and finance. As a Minister Counselor in the Senior Foreign Service, he designed, negotiated, and implemented complex e-governance, fintech, and public-private partnership initiatives across U.S. government portfolios in the Middle East and Latin America. His work frequently involved highly sensitive policy and national security matters, equipping him with exceptional judgment, risk management skills, and media awareness in advising public officials and decision-makers.

Prior to joining Aleshire & Wynder, John practiced law in Los Angeles at O’Melveny & Myers and Olivo & Plasencia, where he represented California public agencies in matters involving bond issuances, municipal governance, conflicts of interest, and public safety.

John’s pro bono interests reflect his commitment to sports diplomacy and the promotion of action sports as tools for community building. A proud third-generation Californian, he is fluent in Spanish. He earned his A.B., magna cum laude, from Princeton University, and his M.A. and J.D. degrees from Stanford University.