Los Angeles County Office of County Counsel
The Los Angeles County Office of County Counsel provides civil legal advice and representation to the Board of Supervisors, County departments, special districts, and other public agencies. This page provides official contacts for general inquiries, public records requests, specialized correspondence, and published litigation cost reports.
Who the office represents: County Counsel represents government clients. It does not act as your personal attorney in a dispute with the County.
Independent, non-government information: This website is not affiliated with Los Angeles County or the Office of County Counsel. We do not provide legal representation, process records requests, or accept legal documents on the office's behalf.
Official contacts: Visit the County Counsel contact page or call 213-974-1811 to identify the appropriate service.
Responsibilities and Clients
County Counsel advises and represents the Board of Supervisors, County officers and departments, special districts, and other public agencies in civil matters. Its responsibilities are authorized by the County Charter and state law.
The office's work includes legal advice on government operations, public services, property, employment, health services, transportation, and other County responsibilities. Its attorneys also handle civil litigation and public enforcement matters.
Government Representation
A resident contacting the office about a County dispute should understand that County Counsel's role is to represent its government clients. Sending an inquiry does not make the office the resident's attorney.
Consumer protection litigation also serves a public enforcement purpose. An enforcement action that benefits residents is different from providing individual representation in a private lawsuit.
The official County Counsel website provides information about the office's responsibilities, programs, reports, and contact channels.
Office Organization
The office is organized into legal divisions and administrative units. Its practice areas include general litigation, appeals, dependency, government services, health services, labor and employment, property, public works, social services, transportation, and workers' compensation.
Other divisions address affirmative litigation and consumer protection, justice and safety, peace officer records, probate, and litigation monitoring. Attorneys may work across divisions when a matter involves several areas of County responsibility.
Use the official organization and division information for the complete list, organizational chart, leadership information, and strategic plan.
A division name explains the office's work but does not identify a filing or service destination. Use the designated contact for the particular task.
Contact Channels and Office Access
The office publishes separate email addresses for general questions, records requests, dependency records, workers' compensation electronic service, and media inquiries.
| Your task | Official contact | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Ask a general question | Contact_Us@counsel.lacounty.gov | General office inquiries and questions about the appropriate contact. |
| Request records from County Counsel | PRArequests@counsel.lacounty.gov | Public Records Act requests directed to this office. |
| Ask about dependency records | Dependencyrecords@counsel.lacounty.gov | Dependency records inquiries. Confirm the applicable access requirements and procedure. |
| Send electronic service in a workers' compensation matter | WKCP-ServiceCRC10625@counsel.lacounty.gov | The office's designated address for electronic service in workers' compensation matters. |
| Make a media inquiry | MediaInquiries@counsel.lacounty.gov | Press questions and requests for a media response. |
Use the designated contact for your task. A general inquiry does not replace a required filing, electronic service, court request, or other formal submission.
Office Hours and Visits
Published office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Confirm holiday closures, visiting arrangements, and the correct location before traveling.
The main mailing address is at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration. The office also lists courthouse and other locations serving particular areas of its work. A listed location should not be assumed to provide a public walk-in service for every legal matter.
Information to Prepare
A concise inquiry should identify:
- The purpose of the message.
- The County department or public agency involved, if relevant.
- The document, event, or issue you are asking about.
- Relevant dates, document titles, or an existing reference number.
- The information or response you are seeking.
Confirm what supporting material is needed before sending sensitive records or detailed personal information.
Public Records and Reports
Public Records Act Requests
County Counsel designates PRArequests@counsel.lacounty.gov for Public Records Act requests. Describe the existing records you seek using relevant subjects, dates, document titles, or departments.
For example, identifying the full fiscal year and title of a litigation cost report is more useful than asking generally about County litigation expenses.
This address is for records requests directed to County Counsel. For records held by another County department, use that department's designated process. The official contact page links to the County's Public Information Officers directory.
A records request does not guarantee disclosure of every document requested. Access depends on the records involved and applicable disclosure rules.
Annual Litigation Cost Reports
The Litigation Cost Management Team publishes annual reports on County litigation expenses. Use the litigation cost reports page to select an available fiscal year and download the report.
Retain the complete fiscal year and report title when comparing publications or referring to a report in correspondence. The page also includes earlier reports concerning litigation cost management and cost reduction measures.
An annual cost report summarizes litigation expenses. It does not replace the court record or establish the outcome of every individual case discussed.
Dependency Records and Electronic Service
Dependency Records
The office lists Dependencyrecords@counsel.lacounty.gov as its dependency records contact.
Use the official channel to confirm which records the office can address, what information is needed, and which access or submission procedure applies. The existence of a contact email does not establish that every requester is entitled to every dependency record.
If you have an existing case reference, identify it accurately when describing the inquiry. Confirm the instructions before sending sensitive case materials or visiting a courthouse office.
Workers' Compensation Electronic Service
For electronic service in workers' compensation matters, the office designates WKCP-ServiceCRC10625@counsel.lacounty.gov.
This is a specialized service address. Do not substitute the general inquiry or records-request inbox. Follow the requirements applicable to the matter, identify the case consistently, and retain the transmission records.
For a general question about which office or channel to use, consult the official contact instructions. A general email should not be treated as confirmation that service requirements have been satisfied.
Consumer Protection
The Affirmative Litigation & Consumer Protection program brings public enforcement litigation with support from the Board of Supervisors.
The office describes work involving:
- Unfair business practices and false advertising.
- Public health and environmental protection.
- Worker protection.
- Violations of the County Code.
- Financial harm to the County.
Its enforcement work can involve lawsuits, injunctions, and cease-and-desist letters. Reported recoveries include abatement funds, civil penalties, fines, and restitution.
These activities describe the program's public enforcement role. They do not establish that County Counsel will represent an individual in a private dispute or obtain a particular recovery for someone who contacts the office.
Language Assistance and Privacy Complaints
Language Assistance
County Counsel's Language Access Plan addresses translation and interpretation for people with limited English proficiency who need access to the office's services.
The official contact page provides the plan, a language access complaint form, and contact information for questions or feedback.
When requesting assistance, identify the service involved and the language needed. Use the language access complaint process if the concern involves access to this office's services through translation or interpretation.
HIPAA Complaints About County Counsel
The contact page also links to a HIPAA complaint form for concerns that the Office of County Counsel violated HIPAA Privacy, Security, or Breach Notification Rules or policies.
Follow the form's instructions and confirm that the concern involves this office. A privacy complaint about a different organization may require that organization's complaint process.
Office Locations
The official contact page lists the following locations. Confirm which office handles your task before visiting or sending documents.
| Office or location | Address | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Main office and mailing address | Office of the County Counsel County of Los Angeles Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration 500 West Temple Street, Suite 648 Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
213-974-1811 TTY: 213-633-0901 |
| Edmund D. Edelman Children's Court | 201 Centre Plaza Drive Monterey Park, CA 91754 |
323-526-6100 |
| Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center | 1040 W. Avenue J, Suite 1114 Lancaster, CA 93534 |
661-949-6562 |
| Hollywood Courthouse | 5925 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028 |
Confirm arrangements through the main office. |
| Norwalk Courthouse | 12720 Norwalk Boulevard, Basement B-12 Norwalk, CA 90650 |
Confirm arrangements through the main office. |
| MTA Building | 1 Gateway Plaza, 24th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
213-922-4057 |
The main mailing address does not replace a destination specified for a particular filing, service, or records procedure. Check the official location and contact information before submitting documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can County Counsel represent me in a private dispute?
County Counsel's role is to advise and represent its government clients. Do not treat a general inquiry or the office's consumer protection work as an agreement to provide personal legal representation.
Where should I send a public records request?
For records requests directed to County Counsel, use PRArequests@counsel.lacounty.gov. For records held by another County department, follow that department's request process. Dependency records have a separately listed contact and may involve different access requirements.
Does a general email count as formal service?
Do not assume that it does. Use the procedure required for the matter. County Counsel specifically lists WKCP-ServiceCRC10625@counsel.lacounty.gov for electronic service in workers' compensation matters; that designation should not be extended to unrelated proceedings.
Where can I find litigation cost reports?
The official reports page organizes available litigation cost reports by fiscal year. Start there if you need an already published annual report.
Is the County Counsel elected?
No. County Counsel is an appointed County officer. The About Us page provides leadership information and a history of the office.
Where can I find employment information?
Use the Careers section of the official County Counsel website. Review the requirements and closing date of a specific vacancy rather than relying on a general description of employment with the office.
Information on this page is drawn from the official resources linked above. Verify contact details, office arrangements, and submission requirements with County Counsel before sending documents or traveling.
Direct official inquiries and submissions to the responsible County office. Messages or documents sent to this website do not reach County Counsel and do not satisfy a filing, service, or records-request requirement.