Sterling Larnerd

Deputy County Counsel

Sterling Larnerd joined the Office of the County Counsel in 2022.  As a member of the Public Safety and Justice team, she advises the County’s criminal justice and emergency response agencies.  Prior to joining the County, Sterling was a Staff Attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  Previously, she gained broad experience in criminal justice law and policy as a public defender, community organizer, and civil liberties advocate.  Sterling also teaches legal writing and research at Santa Clara University School of Law.

Sterling’s professional expertise includes:

• Criminal law and procedure
• Constitutional violations and civil liberties
• Habeas corpus and post-conviction remedies
• Sentencing mitigation and alternatives
• Civil and Appellate procedure

Education

• Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., 2001
  • Form & Accuracy Editor, Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce
  • George C. McCrillis Public Interest Scholar
  • New York State Bar Association Award for Public Service
• Trinity College Dublin, 1999
  • Certificate in Comparative Criminal Justice and Human Rights
• Florida International University, B.A., Political Science, 1998
  • NASA Project VISION Fellow
  • Victory Institute Scholar
  • Sigma Tau Delta

Professional Associations

• Member, Santa Clara County Bar Association (2022-present)
• Member, The Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society (2015-present)
• Member, National Lawyers Guild (1999-present)
• Former Chair of the Board of Directors, Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (2008-2010)

Prior Experience

• Staff Attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2010-2022)
• Consultant on legal briefing, criminal sentencing, and post-conviction relief (2005-2010)
• Assistant Public Defender at the Alexandria Office of the Public Defender (2001-2004)