Santa Clara County Counsel’s Ofc Honored By American Bar Assoc.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA -- The Santa Clara County Counsel’s Office recently received the American Bar Association’s Hodson Award, which is given to one office nationwide each year, and recognizes outstanding performance and extraordinary service by a government or public-sector law office.

The County Counsel’s Office also accepted an official commendation from the County’s Board of Supervisors for representing public service at its finest, working to improve people’s lives, and ensuring Santa Clara County’s critical safety-net services are available to all residents.

The County Counsel’s Office is responsible for all civil litigation involving the County and its officers, and serves as legal counsel to the County, its Board of Supervisors and elected officials, every County department and agency, and the County’s boards and commissions.

“I am thrilled that the County Counsel’s Office is being recognized as a nationwide leader in developing innovative legal solutions to some of our community’s greatest challenges," Santa Clara County Counsel James R. Williams said in a statement. "Our attorneys demonstrate their commitment to effective public service each and every day, and we are proud to be a model of excellence in public lawyering."

Just last month, the County of Santa Clara and other California cities and counties secured a landmark settlement from lead paint manufacturers, who for decades knowingly marketed and sold hazardous paint to American homeowners. The settlement will provide hundreds of millions of dollars to Californian families for lead mitigation in their homes and put to rest a lawsuit the County has been leading for nearly two decades.

Williams accepted the Hodson Award at the ABA’s annual awards ceremony on Aug. 9. Each year the ABA gives the award to one government or public sector law office (e.g., legal aid bureaus, public defender offices, and other legal organizations funded by the Legal Services Corporation) at the federal, state, or local levels.