Sterling Larnerd is a Deputy County Counsel at the Santa Clara Office of the County Counsel. As a member of the Public Safety and Justice team, she advises the County’s criminal justice and emergency response agencies. Prior to this, Sterling was a Staff Attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, providing expertise in habeas corpus appeals. Previously, she gained broad experience in criminal justice law and policy as a public defender, community organizer, and civil liberties advocate. She teaches legal writing and research.