Aryn Paige Harris

Deputy County Counsel

Aryn Paige Harris joined the office in 1998 as a legal intern and began her career as a lawyer in 2000 with an assignment in litigation.  Aryn has held various litigation roles, including litigator (2000-2005; 2007-present), litigation lead (2005-2007), and affirmative litigation specialist (2007).  Aryn’s practice emphasis is in the area of civil rights claims, complex litigation, and government immunities.  She has first-chaired three jury trials and second-chaired two trials to successful verdict.  Aryn has done appellate work in the Ninth Circuit, Tenth Circuit, United States Supreme Court, and state appellate courts.  She had been involved in risk management activities, including directing investigation into potential liability events and seeking early settlements of liability cases. 

Since 2004, Aryn has also served in a conflict assignment as the Grand Jury’s primary legal advisor.  In this capacity, Aryn has advised the Grand Jury on a myriad of legal issues and reviewed over 100 Grand Jury reports into the operations of local governments.  Aryn has also conducted trainings on government official ethics, attorney ethics, paralegal ethics, grand jury practices, prosecutorial liability, and open government laws.

Aryn’s professional expertise includes:

• Litigation of lawsuits brought under 42 U.S.C. §1983
• Complex litigation
• Federal court practice
• Government immunities
• Law and motion practice
• Professional ethics
• Open government laws
• Civil Grand Jury

Education

• Santa Clara University School of Law, J.D., 2000
• University of Arizona, B.A., 1997                

Professional Associations

• Santa Clara County Bar Association
  • Federal Executive Committee (2001-2010)
  • Professionalism Committee (2001-2004)