Elizabeth G. Pianca

Elizabeth joined the Office of the County Counsel in 2009.  She oversees the Office’s Community Protection and Environment and Land Use Teams.  The Community Protection Team partners with County departments to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of County residences by enforcing the County Ordinance Code and State law.  The Environment and Land Use Team provides legal advice to County departments on matters impacting the environment and land use, including land use, real estate transactions, housing, transportation, sustainability, and environmental protection.   

Prior to her appointment as an Assistant County Counsel, Elizabeth served as a Lead Deputy County Counsel for the Environment and Land Use Team and Finance and Government Operations Team, and a Deputy County Counsel in the Office.  Elizabeth’s legal experience covers the full range of public law issues, including land use and environmental law, government finance, elections, public records, public meeting, and conflict of interest laws.  Elizabeth has served as counsel to the Department of Planning and Development, the Roads and Airports Department, Department of Environmental Health, Agriculture and Environmental Management, and various special districts.  

Office practice areas

• Conflicts and Political Reform Act Team 
• Community Protection Team 
• Environment and Land Use Team 

​​Education

• Santa Clara University School of Law, 2005 
  • Managing Editor, Santa Clara Law Review 
  • President, Environmental Law Society 
• Stanford University, B.A., 1999 
  • John Gardner Public Service Fellowship 
  • Chair, Stanford in Government 

Professional associations

• Executive Committee Member of the Public Law Section, State Bar of California (2012-2016) 
  • Co-Editor, Public Law Journal  

Prior experience 

• Associate Attorney at Meyers Nave (2005-2008)