Sara J. Ponzio

Deputy County Counsel

Sara J. Ponzio joined the Office of the County Counsel in 2009.  Sara is a member of the Finance, Government Operations, and Technology team, and primarily works as transactional counsel on matters involving public contracting.  Sara is responsible for negotiating contracts for goods and related services for the Health & Hospital System and other County departments.  Sara advised the County team responsible for integrating the contract portfolios for O’Connor and St. Louise Hospitals into the County’s system.  Sara also advised the Department of Tax and Collections on various collection efforts across the County.  Sara previously advised the Health & Hospital System and Facilities and Fleet Department in the completion and opening of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center’s new 168 patient bed building and the County’s Tasman campus and served as primary counsel on issues of jail construction. 

Sara has successfully litigated a number of cases before the Sixth District Court of Appeal, and obtained published decisions in People v. Bankers Insurance Co. (2016) and People v. Lexington National Insurance Corporation (2016).  She was also the primary author of an amicus brief in County of Alameda v. WCAB (Knittel) (2013).  Sara has also served as counsel to fire districts and the Department of Child Support Services. 

Sara’s professional expertise includes:

• Public contracting and procurement
• Public works
• Appellate litigation

Education

• University of San Francisco School of Law, J.D., 1999
  • Public Interest Law Section
• University of California, Riverside, B.A., 1995

Prior Experience

• Partner at Laughlin, Falbo, Levy & Moresi LLP, CA (2000-2009)