Practice Groups

Health and Human Services Practice Group

The Health and Human Services Practice Group provides legal counsel to all divisions of the Department of Health Services, and the Human Services Department, primarily representing the Family, Youth & Children's Division in all phases of juvenile dependency cases.

Infrastructure and Public Resources Practice Group

The Infrastructure and Public Resources Practice Group performs legal services related to contracting, real property transactions, public works, fiscal services, ordinance and policy drafting and adoption, resources management, and general counsel advice. Principal clients served by this team of attorneys include the County's departments of Public Works, General Services, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector, and Regional Parks; and special districts including the Community Development Commission.

Land Use Practice Group

The Land Use Practice Group performs legal services related to planning, zoning, building, California Environmental Quality Act, code enforcement, and tribal gaming, as well as trials and appellate litigation regarding land use matters. Principal clients served by this practice group include the following County departments: Board of Supervisors, Permit and Resource Management Department (Engineering/Well & Septic, Building/Code Enforcement, Project Review, Environmental Review/Special Projects), the Board of Zoning Adjustments, Planning Commission, Assessor, Department of Transportation and Public Works (CEQA compliance), and Regional Parks (CEQA compliance), as well as land use matters for the following independent public entities: Local Agency Formation Commission, Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority/Regional Climate Protection Authority.

Litigation, Labor, Law and Justice Practice Group

The Litigation, Labor, Law and Justice Practice Group performs a variety of legal services in connection with: trial and appellate litigation in state and federal courts, including coordination with outside counsel; administrative hearings; ordinance enactments and policy adoptions; employee discipline, discrimination and disability issues; and general counsel advice. Principal clients served by this team of attorneys include the following County departments: District Attorney, Human Resources and Risk Management, Probation, Public Defender, and Sheriff's Office. In addition, team attorneys also provide legal services to several outside public agencies, including the Sonoma County Employees' Retirement Association, Sonoma County Grand Jury, as well as some special districts and Joint Powers Authority entities.

Natural Resources and Resiliency Practice Group

The Natural Resources and Resiliency Practice Group performs legal services related to contracting, real property transactions, public works, fiscal services, ordinance and policy drafting and adoption, resources management, and general counsel advice. Principal clients served by this team of attorneys include the County's departments of Office of Recovery and Resiliency, Department of Emergency Management; and special districts including the Sonoma County Water Agency, the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, and the Regional Climate Protection Authority.