Office of Legal Affairs
- Assistant Secretary/General Counsel, Jennifer Neill
- Chief Deputy General Counsel, Simone Renteria (Enterprise Group)
- Chief Deputy General Counsel, James Phillips (Operations Group)
- Chief Deputy General Counsel, Krista Dunzweiler
Mission:
The mission of the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) is to offer quality legal advice to CDCR leadership and staff to help ensure that CDCR’s operations are conducted effectively and consistent with legal requirements. Our attorneys anticipate legal issues and offer practical solutions, appropriately resolve legal disputes, and vigorously advocate CDCR’s mission. We strive to be a valued and trusted partner, recognized for expertise, innovation, and client service.
About:
OLA offers advice, risk management, and litigation support for the Division of Adult Institutions, Division of Adult Parole Operations, Division of Juvenile Justice, as well as the dental and mental health components of California Correctional Health Care Services.
OLA attorneys advise on representation of CDCR at prison monitoring tours, public contract law, accounting services, construction management, facilities planning, consultation on policy development, regulatory work, court compliance, risk management, employee discipline, as well as representation of CDCR at administrative hearings for inmates related to psychiatric medication and appointment of healthcare surrogates.
OLA operates out of CDCR’s main office in downtown Sacramento. We also have field offices in Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Bakersfield and Rancho Cucamonga.