Q:   Can I get free legal advice from County Counsel?

A:  No.  The County Counsel provides legal advice to the Board of Supervisors, elected officials, and County of Marin employees for matters related to the operation and management of the County.  The County Counsel and attorneys of the office cannot provide legal advice to members of the public.

If you need a lawyer and do not have one, you may call the Lawyer Referral Service operated by the Marin County Bar Association at 415/499-1813.  If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may call the Legal Aid Society of Marin County at 415/492-0230, the Family Law Center at 415/492-9230, Legal Self Help Services at 415/444-7130, or, visit the Marin County Superior Court at www.marincourt.org and go to the left toolbar and click on Legal Self Help Services.

Q:   I have suffered personal injury or property damage which I believe was caused by the County or one of its employees.  How do I go about collecting for my damages ?

A: Claims for money are made by submitting a claim form to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, located at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 329, San Rafael, CA 94903.  The law regarding claims against public entities is complex and has relatively short deadlines.  You should seek the services of an attorney for your own protection and you should present your claim without delay.  [Government Code section 900, et seq.].

Q:  The County is suing me for money it says I owe.  Who can I talk to about this ?

A: Lawsuits are filed by the County Counsel but you should first call Central Collections at (415) 499-3635.  The personnel there have the appropriate records and will be able to assist you.

Q:  I want to look at some County records.  Can I get them from County Counsel?

A: The County Counsel is not the official custodian of any records of the County of Marin.  You should inquire directly at the office or location where you believe the records are maintained. 

Q:  Can I talk to Patrick K. Faulkner?  I think he's the person who is working on my case.

A: Mr. Faulkner is the County Counsel and his name appears on all the documents filed by any attorney in the office.  The person most familiar with your case is usually the attorney who actually signed the document.  That person’s name appears beneath Mr. Faulkner’s name at the top of the document and again beneath the signature itself.  If you believe you must speak to someone concerning your matter, it is that person to whom you should speak.