This article takes a look at the upcoming retirement of Marin County Counsel Brian Washington, who’s led the county’s legal office since 2017. There’s a nationwide search for his successor underway, and folks are wondering what his departure means for Marin County communities—from San Rafael and Novato to Sausalito and Tiburon.
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Marin County Counsel Brian Washington to retire this June
Brian Washington plans to retire in June after more than nine years running the County Counsel’s Office, a key part of Marin County government in San Rafael. Since January 2017, he’s been the county’s chief legal advisor, guiding the Board of Supervisors, county departments, and a bunch of boards, commissions, and special districts through all sorts of policy and legal puzzles.
His exit will definitely be felt—from the heart of Mill Valley to the waterfronts of Sausalito and the farmlands near Novato. The Office of the County Counsel has a staff of 24 and an annual budget of about $6.7 million. It’s the main legal resource for Marin’s cities, towns, and county agencies.
Washington’s got degrees from Stanford University and Yale Law School, which backs up a career spent mostly in public service. Before Marin, he spent twenty years in Alameda County, moving up to Chief Assistant County Counsel and handling some tricky countywide issues there.
A smooth transition and a nationwide search
To keep things running smoothly, Washington will stick around through mid-year to help with the transition. The county ran a national recruitment that closed on March 8, with candidate reviews in April and interviews coming up soon.
The Board of Supervisors wants to make an appointment in May. They’re aiming for stability as Marin faces legal and policy questions that stretch from San Anselmo and Ross to the urban edges of Petaluma—way past the usual county boundaries.
A steady hand guiding Marin County through legal waters
Board President Eric Lucan and County Executive Derek Johnson have praised Washington’s integrity, judgment, and steady leadership through some tough legal and policy challenges. They say he’ll leave “big shoes to fill” because of his statewide reputation and his commitment to fairness, collaboration, and the rule of law.
Across Marin’s towns—from Corte Madera to Larkspur, and out to Nicasio and Terra Linda—Washington’s known for principled service and thoughtful governance. During his time, he’s been a steadying force on issues like land use, public safety, climate resilience, and protecting open space.
In San Rafael and Marin City, he’s helped align policy with what actually works on the ground. Over in Novato and Ross, he’s guided boards and commissions through tricky procedures and risk assessments.
His leadership ties Marin’s past to its changing future, from hillside development debates to waterfront economic projects that involve several Bay Area jurisdictions.
- Leadership on behalf of California’s 58 county counsel offices: In 2024, Washington served as President of the County Counsels’ Association, representing county legal offices all over the state.
- Strategic advisor to governance bodies: He’s given counsel to the Board of Supervisors, county departments, lots of boards and commissions, and several local districts and agencies in Marin.
- Long tenure in public service: He’s spent 37 years in county government, with two decades at Alameda County before coming to Marin in 2017.
- Educational foundation: Degrees from Stanford University and Yale Law School set the stage for a career focused on the rule of law and public service.
- Regional impact: Washington’s leadership has shaped policy and legal work from Albany–Berkeley to Marin’s own towns, always pushing for fairness and collaboration.
The road ahead for Marin communities
Marin’s still facing big questions about housing, infrastructure, climate resilience, and open space. The County Counsel’s Office will play a big role in shaping those decisions, from San Anselmo to Tiburon.
The next County Counsel will step into a job that covers everything from the quiet Kent Island coast to the hills near Fairfax. They’ll need to balance legal know-how with practical teamwork alongside the Board of Supervisors and Marin’s many local leaders.
The path forward and what to watch
- March 8 marked the close of the national recruitment window. The county plans to review candidates in April and start interviews soon after.
- The Board hopes to make an appointment in May. Washington will stay on through mid-year to help with the transition.
- In Marin City, San Rafael, and beyond, the new County Counsel faces the task of building collaboration across towns like Mill Valley, Point Reyes Station, and Corte Madera.
As Marin’s civic life shifts, folks in towns from Larkspur to Fairfax are bound to keep an eye on how new leadership upholds fairness and transparency. After nearly forty years, Brian Washington’s legacy of integrity sets a high bar as Marin County turns the page and welcomes its next legal leader.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin County Counsel Brian Washington to Retire
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