Why We Like Working Here
See also: Living Here
Here, in their own words, are some of the statements by our County Counsel staff about why we like working here:
"Most days I can't believe I get paid to do this job. We have the opportunity to work in areas of the law that are not only legally interesting but may have a profound impact on people's lives." - Kathleen Bales Lange, County Counsel
"As a younger attorney, I have found all the senior attorneys to be extraordinary mentors. And, I really appreciate the flexibility in the work schedule - ie. within core hours, we can set our own start and leave times, and we all have Friday afternoons off." - Moses Diaz, Attorney, Resource Team
"I am fairly new to this office (less than a year). I had worked for another county counsel's office for a number of years and was laid off. It has been an eye-opening experience to see what a difference the management style can make even where the work is the same. The team-based orientation of this office makes it a pleasure to work here." - Barbara Booth Grunwald, Attorney, Resource Team
"I'm never bored. And always challenged. Both professional and personal growth are encouraged. The importance of a life outside the office is recognized and respected. I came to the practice of law with significant prior work history. The leadership in this office surpasses any prior experience I have had. It is my intent to work for County Counsel until I retire. However, I enjoy the work and the people so much, I can't say when that would be.... Where else can I work as a single mom, live in a custom home on 5 acres, and own a cabin in the mountains?" - Julia Langley, Attorney, Litigation Team
"For over two years at County Counsel, I've worked with friendly coworkers and great mentors. This job entails public service, interesting assignments of public interest, and an office that is both family-oriented and professional. I appreciate the comfortable learning environment as a new attorney. The living environment is great as well, plenty of restaurants and Sequoia National Park right down the road." - Nina Dong, Attorney, Resource Team
"What I like most about my job is: The diversity of the work. Every day is a new challenge and I continue to develop professionally as a result. What I like most about working at the County Counsel's Office is the great people and the flexibility that the County Counsel allows her staff. She recognizes that as important as our work is, our families are more important. The flexibility provides a means to balance work with family life." - Cher Castellini, Paralegal, Litigation Team
"The attorneys in this office make me feel like my job is important. Our Department Head is always fair and professional when dealing with issues at work. Although she is very busy, she always makes time to meet with her staff. I'm able to balance my personal life with my work schedule." - Lilly Santillan, Supervising Civil Office Assistant
"Living out of county I appreciate the flexibility of the office and my flex work schedule. I work with a great bunch of colleagues committed to doing the good work and who are supportive of one another. It's great working with a wonderful group of people who truly care about what they do. I love the challenging and varying nature of my work - whether it's working on trial petitions, trial or appellate briefs, interacting with the client and team members, or preparing cases for trial. We're just committed to doing solid quality work and everyone helps each other out." - George Graham, Paralegal, Protective Services Team
" I was attracted to living in Tulare County because its housing market is so much better than the rest of the State - being able to purchase a home is important to me and my family! I also like that we are safer and less populated than Southern California. What I enjoy about working for the County Counsel especially are: flexibility of schedules, helpful co-workers, and senior staff who are supportive in my growth on the job." - Dulce Aguilar, Account Clerk.
" Working with this office, I get exposed to a diversity of issues that are novel from my perspective. I have not been with this office very long, but since I've been here, I have come to appreciate the talent, professionalism, and ethical demeanor of my co-workers. The most important thing I have observed is that we strive to do the "right thing." Although the "right thing" is not always clear, our office always seems to be guided by two primary guideposts: (1) Our desire to be professional and (2) our ethical duties to the client and the community as a whole. " - Abel Martinez, Paralegal, Resource Team
"Even though legal work can be stressful at times, everyone here treats each other with the utmost respect. From the custodian up to the County Counsel, all employees are treated by one another as if their individual contributions will be the deciding factor at the end of the day. Everyone is willing to help each other achieve whatever goal needs to be reached. All my co-workers on the team are very supportive of my work. They cheer my achievements and help me refine and re-work any work product so it is the best it can be. I feel valued and appreciated for all my efforts, and thus am always willing to go the extra mile." - Janet Robinson, Paralegal, School Team
"Before coming to County Counsel I had 20 years of private law experience, working on several complex litigation cases. Making the decision to work for Tulare County Counsel has proven to be the smartest business decision I've made in my career. The work is diverse, challenging, and rewarding. The work environment is pleasant, and I truly look forward to coming to work each day." - Nancy L. Woods, Paralegal, Litigation Team
"Most of my colleagues will say they love most the people they work with every day, and I feel the same, but even where I oftentimes am just concentrating for hours on end on the computer or telephone doing legal research and writing opinions or advising clients, I revel in the variety and challenge of the actual work. I used to be in private practice, but I find this kind of governmental work - for the public good - is so much more rewarding - even after 23 years working here!" - Harold Wood, Attorney, School Team
"I moved to a ranch in the mountains after wrestling with LA traffic for well over a dozen years. I made the change to a home on the range and now I can enjoy my cows -dogs -goats and wild life at home while being able to handle major legal issues with state wide impact working with great people here in Visalia. And while there are great things to do locally, our central location means we can - and do - pop in to San Francisco or Los Angeles whenever we feel like it. California's state motto is "eureka" - well, 'eureka'." - Ron Rezac, Retired Attorney, Labor and Employment Team
"What can I add to what's already been said above? By now you are probably thinking we are pretty good sales people at Tulare County Counsel, and maybe there is a bit of exaggeration going on. I've made a career of working in this office, now in my 29th year. I've served under four county counsels. I also practiced law for 6 years before coming here, first with a private law firm and then in a Legal Aid office. No, our office is not perfect and we have our share of problems and difficult issues. However, there is one overriding characteristic about this office that I believe makes the difference. That is that the management team, all of them long-time senior people, are honest, hard-working people who have tried very hard over the years to do the right thing. I mean by the right thing that this office is run on core principles of excellent service to clients, and fairness, integrity and decency with people particularly each other. No we don't all get along perfectly all of the time. But, we work at it, and especially when problems arise, and most of the time we succeed quite well. Two other important points and I will sit down. First, one of the reasons many of us ended up at Tulare County Counsel is that our personal lives are as important to us as our professional lives. We've personally raised two sons, and are helping to raise 3 grandsons, and this job has always accommodated our personal and family life. Last, but not least, the tone for an office begins at the top. You will not have the opportunity to work for a better County Counsel then Kathleen Bales-Lange. She has made it clear over the years how important her staff is to her, and this is one person who walks the talk. We get to do important government work, and we have some of the best country living around. What more could you want?" - Gary de Malignon, retired Attorney, School Team.