The County Counsel reviews and drafts ordinances and administrative policies at board or department request, reviews all county contracts, attends all Board of Supervisors meetings and handles all of the county's litigation and outside counsel, except for those claims accepted by the county's insurance carriers. This office also advises county officials and departments on legal issues when requested.

In addition, County Counsel is the County’s liaison with Golden State Risk Management. The department provides a broad range of services directed at promoting the objectives of the County while protecting the County from loss and risk. Those services include advising on the law as it applies to County operations; drafting legal documents; and representing the County in civil actions, the Public Guardian/Public Administrator in conservatorship cases, and Child Welfare Services.