Supervisors appoint Robert Pittman as County Counsel

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today appointed Robert Pittman to serve as County Counsel effective September 22, 2020. Pittman has worked in the county Counsel’s Office for eight years, including the last four as Assistant County Counsel, serving as Chief Operating Officer for an office of 32 attorneys and 12 support staff.  

Pittman succeeds Bruce Goldstein who will be retiring after 23 years of service with the County including 10 as County Counsel.  

“Bob Pittman’s professional history with the County, as well as his involvement and leadership during the 2017 fires, the Kincade fire, and the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrate that he is well qualified to assume the role as County Counsel,” said Board Chair Susan Gorin. “We are going to miss Bruce, but we are grateful to have someone as capable and as experienced as Bob is to fill the void he leaves.”  

Pittman has more than 25 years of experience as a public agency attorney, advising county boards of supervisors, city council members and others. As Assistant County Counsel, he has overseen and implemented a $10.9 million annual operating budget in addition to serving as legal advisor to the Board of Supervisors, General Counsel to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District and primary Counsel to the Registrar of Voters.  

Pittman also has a deep understanding of the historic challenges facing the county, having overseen the County Counsel Office’s response to the 2017 Sonoma Complex fires, the 2019 Kincade fire, and the current coronavirus pandemic.   

Prior to coming to Sonoma County, he served as Assistant and/or Acting City Attorney for such cities as Beverly Hills, Diamond Bar, Hermosa Beach, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Pacifica and West Hollywood. He also served as Assistant General Counsel to the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit District.  

“I am extremely honored to serve the Board as Sonoma County’s next County Counsel,” said Pittman. “I am passionate about public service, and I look forward to the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Board, County department heads and staff, and other local and regional governments to advance the County’s key strategic initiatives and priorities.”  

Robert Pittman has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Cornell University and a law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. He currently lives in San Rafael with his husband.