To: Board of Supervisors
From: Thomas Geiger, County Counsel
Report Title: ADOPT Resolution No. 2026- recognizing the retirement of Catherine Beller from Contra Costa County
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution recognizing the retirement of Catherine Beller from Contra Costa County, as recommended by the County Counsel.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
See Resolution Text
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None.
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
body
IN THE MATTER OF Recognizing the Retirement of Catherine Beller from Contra Costa County
WHEREAS, Catherine Beller graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and receiving her law degree from Southwestern University School of Law in 1997; and
WHEREAS, Catherine joined the County Counsel’s Office in March 2002 as a contract attorney and was appointed a Deputy County Counsel in the Juvenile Dependency/Conservatorship Division in August 2002; and
WHEREAS, while representing the Public Guardian’s Office, Catherine made regular court appearances for statutorily-required hearings, jury trials and bench trials; provided legal advice on the establishment, management, and termination of probate and mental health conservatorships; and acted as a liaison between the Public Guardian, criminal court, and offices of the District Attorney and the Public Defender/Alternate Defender in conservatorship investigations of mentally disordered criminal defendants; and
WHEREAS, Catherine also litigated child abuse and neglect cases on behalf of the Children and Family Services Bureau; and
WHEREAS, in April 2013, Catherine moved to the General Law Division of the County Counsel’s Office, where her primary client was the Health Services Department; and
WHEREAS, while representing Health Services, Catherine became an expert in issues involving the Behavioral Health Division, as well as an expert on medical confidentiality and privacy; and
WHEREAS, as both a litigator and advisor, Catherine had the ability to find common ground, move all parties from the emotional to the practical, and to frame potential resolutions of difficult issues in a persuasive way; and
WHEREAS, Catherine’s good judgment, excellent interpersonal skills, and strong work ethic were great assets to the County Counsel’s Office and the County as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Catherine’s presence in the County Counsel’s Office will be missed not only for her leadership and commitment to public service, to the office, and to Contra Costa County, but also as a role model, mentor, and friend to all who have worked with her; and
WHEREAS, Catherine has the thanks and gratitude of the entire County Counsel’s Office for all she has done to further the office’s mission of providing excellent legal services to its clients and advancing the County’s priorities; and
WHEREAS, we are proud to celebrate this professional milestone in Catherine’s career, and to honor her and thank her for her leadership and dedicated service to Contra Costa County and the County Counsel’s Office.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors does hereby congratulate Catherine Beller on her retirement and extends its sincerest thanks to Catherine for her 24 years of distinguished service to Contra Costa County.
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