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Office of the County Counsel
Office of the County Counsel

Jail Reform and Custody Operations Team

The Jail Reform and Custody Operations Team provides legal advice to the Board of Supervisors and to County departments and agencies on a wide array of matters impacting the County jails.  Our attorneys work with the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive’s Office, and applicable departments such as the Sheriff’s Office and Custody Health Services to help spearhead jail reform efforts, research and analyze many areas of law, negotiate contracts, comment on legislation, and help solve challenging problems for the County.  Our attorneys also represent the County in highly significant litigation impacting the County jails, including on consent decrees concerning the County jails and on involuntary medication petitions regarding inmates. 

Attorneys

Douglas M. Press

Assistant County Counsel

Douglas Press oversees the Office’s Civil Rights, Tort, and Employment Litigation Team, Health and Hospitals Team, and Jail Reform and Custody Operations Team.

Read Douglas' 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
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Katherine Erickson

Deputy County Counsel

Katherine Erickson advises the Social Services Agency and the Office of Supportive Housing. She also advises the County on jail reform and custody operations.

Read Katherine's bio
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Shreya Gupta

Deputy County Counsel

Shreya Gupta advises the Custody Health Services Department and the County on jail reform and custody operations.

Read Shreya's bio
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Aryn Harris

Deputy County Counsel

Aryn Harris advises the County on jail reform and custody operations; represents the County in federal and state courts in civil rights, tort, and employment litigation matters; and advises the Civil Grand Jury.

Read Aryn's bio
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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
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Cara H. Sandberg

Deputy County Counsel

Cara Sandberg advises the County on jail reform and custody operations and represents the County in affirmative litigation matters.

Read Cara's bio
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Kanwalroop Kaur Singh

Deputy County Counsel

Kanwalroop Kaur Singh represents the Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator and Adult Protective Services and advises the County on jail reform and custody operations.

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Braeden Sullivan

Deputy County Counsel

Braeden Sullivan advises the County on jail reform and custody operations and represents the Department of Family and Children’s Services in juvenile dependency matters.

Read Braeden's bio