COUNTY COUNSEL

2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• COVID-19 Jail Litigation: When inmates and nonprofits pursuing an anti-incarceration agenda sued the Orange County Sheriff and sought a court order requiring the mass release of jail inmates, County Counsel defended public safety. When a federal district court judge issued a sweeping injunction that exceeded Center for Disease Control COVID-19 guidelines, County Counsel attorneys obtained a stay of that injunction from the United States Supreme Court. When a Superior Court judge ordered the Sheriff to develop a plan to reduce the inmate population in the jail by 50 percent, County Counsel deputies pushed back and persuaded the judge to not order the Sheriff to release dangerous felons into the community. • COVID-19 Relief And Response: County Counsel supported the Orange County Board of Supervisors in the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the use of federal relief funds to fund County healthcare initiatives, provide economic support to small businesses, and fund subrecipient grants to support city and school pandemic response efforts. County Counsel attorneys also supported the Treasurer-Tax Collector in facilitating relief for taxpayers who were unable to pay their property taxes and advised County departments on compliance with state health directives and the safe reopening of County building, parks and facilities. • Child Protection: County Counsel continued to represent the Social Services Agency in cases of child abuse and neglect, managing a caseload of 3,491 children and young adults. In 2020, County Counsel attorneys conducted almost 2,800 child protection hearings remotely. In addition, County Counsel deputies obtained a positive outcome in almost 90 percent of the juvenile dependency cases appealed to the 4th District Court of Appeal.

2021 GOALS

• As attorneys for the County, and representing the organization as a whole, we will provide sound, well-researched, timely, clear and practical legal advice to the County’s elected and appointed officials on all matters related to their official duties and responsibilities, in accordance with the highest ethical and professional standards of the California State Bar. • Advocating for the public interest, we will support the County’s elected and appointed officials to enable them to achieve their goals on behalf of the people of Orange County, vigorously defending County officials when their actions or decisions are challenged. • Deliver all legal services to clients as efficiently and economically as possible.