The County Counsel is the chief civil lawyer for the County of Santa Cruz. The County Counsel is appointed by the Board of Supervisors to a four-year term. Primary responsibilities of the County Counsel include serving as legal counsel to the Board of Supervisors and managing all civil legal matters on behalf of the County.
The Office also provides legal advice and representation to all County officials, departments, boards and commissions, and certain special districts. The office represents these County departments and entities in the course of their official business and does not represent individuals in private legal matters. When the County is sued or otherwise named in a lawsuit, the County Counsel appears in court to represent the County's interests.