For over a century, the Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC) has served the California state government, offering nonpartisan legal support to the Legislature, the Governor, and other state officials. This support includes a range of services designed to facilitate and streamline the legislative process.
Starting in the 1970s, the OLC began integrating computer technology at the Legislature’s request. This advancement aimed to enhance the drafting and printing of legislation and has since expanded to improve various business processes and increase public access to legislative information.
The office’s attorneys are responsible for a variety of tasks. They draft bills, constitutional amendments, resolutions, and related proposals. They also provide legal opinions on constitutional issues, statutory interpretations, and other legal matters. Additionally, they offer legal counsel to legislative members and committees, represent the Senate and Assembly in legal proceedings, and prepare service contracts for these legislative bodies. The attorneys deliver legal services to the Governor, assist with initiative measures upon request, and aid judges in drafting legislation.
McGeorge School of Law is proud of its strong presence within the OLC, with a McGeorge alumna serving as Legislative Counsel and thirty-three other alumni contributing as deputy legislative counsels.
Legislative Counsel:
- Cara L. Jenkins, ’10, was appointed as Legislative Counsel in 2020. She oversees drafting bills, preparing bill digests, providing legal opinions, and representing the Legislature.
Courts, criminal law, and related areas:
- Annakarina De La Torre-Fennell, ’14
- Abby Maurer, ’12
- Amanda Kelly, ’16
- Roman Edwards, ’14
- Aimee Martin, ’14
- Sharon L. Everett, ’07
- Stephen Myers, ’19
- Thomas Gerhart, ’21
- Stacy Saechao, ’12
Air resources, education, and related areas:
- Peter Ackeret, ’06
- Melissa Scolari, ’08
- Robert Binning, ’15
- Brian E. Bitzer, ’13
- Brian Flemmer, ’14
- Daniel J.R. Kessler, ’06
- Gerardo Partida, ’85
- Nathaniel W. Grader, ’12
- Jason M. Miller, ’15
Legislative Services:
- Suli Mastorakos, ’19
Opinions:
- Lisa Goldkuhl, ’99
- Joanna Varner, ’09
- Amy Haydt, ’00
- Laura Winterberger, ’19
- Lisa M. Plummer, ’01
- Rebecca M. Bitzer, ’13
Alcohol beverage control, business, civil law, employment, and related areas:
- Sergio Carpio, ’99
- Nikki Rossetta, ’21
- Matt Urban, ’22
- Jess Gosney, ’17
- Daniela Lopez-Garcia, ’11
- Allison M. Felkins, ’20
- Brooke J.S. Hill, ’23
Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law will celebrate members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. This post is part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni.
Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary.
Disclaimer: If you believe you should be featured in this blog but are not, it’s possible your information wasn’t up-to-date in our records. Please update your details in the alumni directory by filling out the form: https://mcgeorge.wufoo.com/forms/z1ytl8b20dz7e78/