Napa County Grand Jury • 2008-2009

County of Napa Office of the County Counsel

Published: April 27, 2009 13 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 20 findings

F1
There is general agreement among clients and County Counsel staff that the number of lawyers and paralegals will be adequate when the Assistant Counsel position is filled.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The office manager’s position is filled by a part-time employee and there is no file clerk.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The part time office manager’s position be increased to full time.
R2
A file clerk position be established.
F3
One of the thirteen lawyers carried on the staff of the County Counsel serves as an executive administrator for another County agency.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Within the County Counsel’s office there is concern that a comprehensive list of primary and secondary lawyer assignments is not kept current.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
A procedure be established to maintain an up-to-date listing of primary and secondary lawyer assignments.
F5
Face-to-face annual evaluation discussions between the supervisor and employee do not always take place.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Paralegal and administrative evaluations are timely; lawyer evaluations are generally delinquent by several months.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Staff meetings are infrequent.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
A more cohesive atmosphere be established through more frequent staff meetings.
F8
The County Counsel’s office does not have a formal conflict of interest policy.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Formal conflict of interest procedures be established for County Counsel’s office.
F9
The County Counsel’s office is well run; employees are not micro-managed.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
County Counsel lawyers generally stay out of client policy issues.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The quality of some written documents to clients needs improvement.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Personnel within the County Counsel’s office have been briefed on the current County Counsel succession plan and, although concerned about who the next County Counsel may be, are supportive of the plan.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
There is very low turnover in County Counsel personnel.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
County Counsel’s lawyers and staff personnel are located in three separate rooms.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Consolidation of the County Counsel’s office space be made a long term priority.
F15
Workload assignments are changed in an attempt to level the hours, but this leveling action generally occurs only on a one to two-year basis. 8
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The frequency of workload assignment review and balancing be increased.
F16
The archaic time/billing system wastes lawyer and administrative staff time, impedes accurate client billing and makes workload leveling more difficult.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
A new time/billing software system be procured for County Counsel.
F17
Small Claims advice to the public is provided by the County Counsel’s office.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The Grand Jury was recently denied County Counsel legal representation in a dispute with a County agency over records release.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The Grand Jury consistently be provided with legal representation when requested in the pursuit of its duties.
F19
The Grand Jury does not have a vehicle to provide timely independent counsel services if County Counsel refuses to provide legal representation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The Grand Jury consistently be provided with legal representation when requested in the pursuit of its duties.
F20
The County Counsel’s staff has available to it adequate and updated legal reference sources.
No recommendations for this finding

Commendations 2

No Responses Found 1

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Napa County County