We’ve all heard the comments people make about government workers. “Good enough for government work” is an expression I hear a lot. But I’m grateful everyday that I decided to make the move from the private sector to government. I came to the Office of the County Counsel in 2015 from the large private corporate defense firm I landed in right after getting my paralegal certificate in 2011. Unlike my experience in the private sector, the County Counsel’s Office treated me as an equally valued member of the team.
During my first case meeting at the County, one of the attorneys asked me what my thoughts were about the case. Almost eight years later, I still remember the elation I felt at that moment when I realized that my thoughts could matter here. In addition, I’ve had almost every attorney I’ve worked with here show me that there is more to law than just winning cases; there is justice. And being assigned to cases, rather than attorneys, brings a sense of ownership and pride to my work in those cases. I love being a part of the County and working together with my colleagues to help make a better and more just life for those that live in it. I love the collaborative environment and the emphasis on learning and growing our skills. And I really love being a part of something bigger than myself. I’m grateful every day that they decided that I am “good enough for government work.”
- Vickye Ashton, Senior Paralegal
I joined the Office in December 2020 as a Legal Secretary I. Before that, I was a paralegal for a small personal injury law firm. In that job, while there were some positives, it was lacking sufficient pay, benefits, and time off. There was also no room for growth, and my work did not feel meaningful. Things changed for the better when I came to the Office. I feel more valued as an employee and my public service work is positive and rewarding. I also get paid more. When I joined, despite the County being at the forefront of providing pandemic related critical safety net services, I felt very welcomed and supported by my supervisors and colleagues. The culture of inclusion and camaraderie, as well as the focus on well-being and learning were refreshing, and helped me feel a sense of belonging. The thoughtful onboarding approach allowed me to succeed and the work I do is challenging but satisfying. I was provided training and shadowing opportunities, and I was regularly asked by my Supervisor and Assistant County Counsel about how I felt and whether there was anything more I needed to do my job well. I appreciated the check-in meetings and the fact that I had a voice in the process and that my opinion mattered. I met with my Supervisor and Assistant County Counsel regularly to discuss my growth and needs, and they were always available to provide support, feedback, and guidance. I now enjoy a healthy work-life balance and I have had great growth opportunities. I was promoted to a Legal Secretary II, and I am now a Lead Legal Secretary – all in under two years! I am proud to work for our Office and for the County and all those who depend on our services! I am so glad I made the shift to public service.
- Gabriela Crowley, Lead Legal Secretary
I have worked for the County Counsel’s Office (CCO) since 2010. Ten years later, in 2020, I accepted what I thought was a “great” opportunity by taking another government job that was closer to home. After only a few months, it became crystal clear to me just how great I already had it while working for CCO. As luck would have it, there was an opening and CCO accepted me back with open arms. Working here has always been an amazing experience. Everyday, I feel like I’m doing mission-driven work that is all about making the lives of the county’s residents better. Besides being involved in all the interesting and impactful legal government assignments for the most populous County in the Bay Area, it is so easy to come to work each day already understanding my tasks, knowing the important departmental role I play, and most importantly, the fact that I get to work alongside top-notch, second-to-none, legal professionals! Undoubtedly, coming back to CCO was the best professional decision I have ever made.
- Ruperto Dyangko, Senior Paralegal
One of the things I’ve loved about my experience with the County Counsel’s Office is how many different types of work I’ve been able to do and how many teams I’ve been able to be a part of. My journey with the Office started in February 2001. With no legal experience, I was hired as an Advanced Clerk Typist, the equivalent of an Office Specialist today, in the Workers’ Compensation Unit (WCU). There I learned many law firm basics: answering incoming calls and taking messages, filing, transcribing, and preparing and serving subpoenas. In the WCU, I was fortunate enough to learn from a very experienced legal secretary who mentored me and always encouraged me to learn more. After promoting to Legal Secretary Trainee and then Legal Secretary, I was interested in learning something new. After asking my supervisor for an opportunity to expand my knowledge, I moved to the Hedding Street Office and began supporting the Health & Hospital Team, with additional assignments relating to the Parks Department and the Housing Authority. The work at the Hedding Street Office was very different from the work I’d done previously. I started learning about contracts and how to prepare Board of Supervisors memoranda. After multiple assignments at the Hedding Street Office, I was interested in learning about Child Dependency, so I transferred to the dependency team in the Julian Street Office, and again I gained a whole new set of skills. In August 2019 I decided I wanted to give litigation a try, and I was welcomed to yet another team. As before, the skillset needed for litigation is much different. Although times and teams change, all of my experience has given me invaluable knowledge on how the County works. I am thankful for all the opportunities I’ve been given.
- Sandra Jimenez, Legal Secretary II
I have been with the Office of the County Counsel for over three enlightening years. One thing that impresses me the most is the incredible opportunity for growth and advancement with the Office. I started with the Office as a Legal Secretary and with the support of the Office and my supervisors, I had the opportunity to apply for and promote to a Paralegal and now, a Program Manager position. Coming from the private sector, I did not have the same opportunities to advance and grow as I do now in the public sector. I feel seen and heard, and not only was my hard work and potential recognized, they encouraged me to develop those skills, and the Office did so by trusting me with growing responsibilities, letting me take on and own tasks and projects.
Not many can say that they enjoy and look forward to showing up for work so I find myself very fortunate to be one who can, and with the major contributing factor being my amazing colleagues who share the same passion for public service and vision and definition of human kindness. Every day, the Office presents itself with new opportunities for you to learn and grow professionally. The Office has tools for you to utilize and procedures in place to ensure that you will succeed and be your best self or work on becoming your best self. The County provides a safe work environment, both physically and mentally. We have wellness events, work-life balance seminars, and great benefits and retirement plans.
- Truc Nguyen, Program Manager
I hadn’t seriously considered public service before 2010, but a fire started within me during a presentation the County made to De Anza College paralegal students when I was a student there. The County’s articulation of its mission sparked a fire inside of me, and I determined that this is where I want to be! I became excited after hearing a panel of the Office’s paralegals present information about their daily work, how much they enjoyed collaborating with each other and the attorneys, and how their work contributed to making Santa Clara County a good, fair, and equitable place to live, work, and conduct business. The paralegals were passionate about the meaningful work that they were a part of.
I started in the Office in 2010 as a temporary “extra help” paralegal, and then I applied for a full-time position as soon as an opening became available. I worked as a Senior Paralegal on the litigation team for many years, and I promoted to Supervising Paralegal in 2018. I still enjoy coming to work each day and helping my coworkers to contribute to the Office’s and the County’s mission. It means a lot to me that my work every day truly serves the public interest.
- Denise Sanders, Supervising Paralegal