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County Counsel

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1. Can I get free legal advice from the County Counsel?

No. The County Counsel provides legal advice to the Board of Supervisors, elected officials, and County employees for matters related to the operation and management of the County government. The County Counsel and other attorneys in the office cannot provide legal advice to members of the public.

If you need a lawyer and do not have one, you can call the Lawyer Referral and Information Service, operated by the Contra Costa Bar Association, at (925) 825-5700. Click here for more information.

2. I have suffered a personal injury or property damage that I believe was caused by the County or one of its employees. How do I go about collecting for my damages?

Claims for money are made by submitting a claim to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, located in Room 106 of the County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Martinez, California 94553. Claim forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board. The law regarding claims against public entities is complicated and has relatively short deadlines. You should seek the services of an attorney for your own protection, and you should present your claim without delay. Click here for more information.

3. Can I talk to Sharon Anderson? I think she is the person working on my matter.

Ms. Anderson is the County Counsel, and her name appears on almost all correspondence and case pleadings. However, the person most familiar with your matter is the person who signed the document. His or her name appears in court documents below Ms. Anderson's name at the top of the first page, and again on the signature line on the last page. If you need to speak to someone in the County Counsel's Office, you should contact that person, whose telephone number is usually listed.

4. Who can "Accept Service"?

All claims, summons and complaints against the County or a County department must be "served" (delivered) to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, the agent authorized to accept service on behalf of the County of Contra Costa. No departmental employee should accept service of any claim, complaint or summons on behalf of the County or County agency. The process server will be directed to deliver the papers to the Clerk of the Board in Room 106 of the County Administration Building. This office does not accept service, unless there is a prior agreement to accept service on behalf of a client.