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Office of the County Counsel
Office of the County Counsel

Public Safety and Justice Team

The Public Safety and Justice team provides legal advice to each of the County departments and agencies that make up the County’s criminal justice and emergency response systems.  Public Safety and Justice attorneys assist these agencies in addressing a wide array of legal issues related to law enforcement, criminal adjudication, juvenile justice, probation, reentry services, 911 services, disaster preparedness and response, and related services. Our attorneys contribute to significant reform efforts in these areas, research and analyze many areas of law, craft policies, draft and negotiate contracts, comment on legislation, and assist the departments they advise in addressing significant and challenging issues.

Attorneys

headshot of kavita narayan with blue shirt

Kavita Narayan

Chief Assistant County Counsel

Kavita Narayan oversees the Office’s Public Safety and Justice Team and Social Justice and Impact Litigation Team. As the Chief Assistant County Counsel, she partners with the County Counsel to oversee the Office of the County Counsel.

Read Kavita's bio

Mona Williams

Lead Deputy County Counsel

Mona Williams is the Lead of the Public Safety and Justice Team and advises the Probation Department. She also advises certain local school districts on various legal issues.

Read Mona's bio
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Mark Bernal

Deputy County Counsel

Mark Bernal advises the Assessor’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Alternate Defenders Office, Independent Defense Counsel Office, Office of the County Hearing Officer, and Development Review Board.

Read Mark's bio

Tara Fonseca

Deputy County Counsel

Tara Fonseca advises County departments on criminal justice data sharing, data privacy and security, and technology transactions, and advises on issues relating to state and federal legislative efforts for the County.

Read Tara's bio
headshot of hannah begley in gray suit

Hannah Godbey

Deputy County Counsel

Hannah Begley represents the County in affirmative litigation matters and is a member of the Public Safety and Justice Team.

Read Hannah's bio

Shana Heller

Deputy County Counsel

Shana Heller advises the Office of Diversion and Reentry Services and the Office of the District Attorney. She also advises the Santa Clara County Office of Education and certain local school districts on various legal issues.

Read Shana's bio
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Stephanie Jackson

Deputy County Counsel

Stephanie Jackson is a member of the Public Safety and Justice Team and the Finance, Government Operations, and Technology Team.

Read Stephanie's bio
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Hilary Kerrigan

Deputy County Counsel

Hilary Kerrigan is a member of the Health and Hospitals Team and Public Safety and Justice Team.

Read Hilary's bio
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Melissa Kiniyalocts

Lead Deputy County Counsel

Melissa Kiniyalocts is the Lead of the Jail Reform and Custody Operations Team, and advises the Custody Health Services Department, the Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office, and the Santa Clara County Library District.

Read Melissa's bio
headshot of Sterling Larnerd, short blond hair, blue jacket and button up

Sterling Larnerd

Deputy County Counsel

Sterling Larnerd advises the Office of the Sheriff. She also advises the County on jail reform and custody operations.

Read Sterling's bio

Sohayl Vafai

Deputy County Counsel

Sohayl Vafai is a member of the Finance, Government Operations, and Technology Team and the Public Safety and Justice Team.

Read Sohayl's bio