Assembly, Senate Leaders Announce Selection of Cara Jenkins As Next Legislative Counsel

November 18, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) announced today the selection of Cara Jenkins as their candidate for the California State Legislature’s new Legislative Counsel.

Jenkins, who has served as a leading member of the Legislative Counsel’s Office for the past 10 years, will be confirmed in a vote by both houses on December 7, 2020, the first day of the 2021-2022 session.

“For years, Cara has been an outstanding asset to the Legislature, and has risen to become a trusted legal adviser to our Assembly and Senate colleagues,” Speaker Rendon and Pro Tem Atkins said in a joint statement. “She pays close attention to detail, thoroughly evaluates potential legal outcomes, and maintains a critical understanding of the nuanced nature of the People’s work, from policy to personnel matters.”

As Legislative Counsel, Jenkins will oversee the team of attorneys that draft legislative proposals, prepare legal opinions, and provide other confidential legal services. The Office of Legislative Counsel was founded in 1913, and is a nonpartisan public agency.

Jenkins, who graduated from McGeorge School of Law and holds an undergraduate degree from UC Santa Barbara, most recently has led the Legislative Counsel’s Capitol Office, where she serves as the first point of contact for legislators and staff. Her duties also have included working with Rules Committees in both houses, representing the Legislature in litigation, drafting complex legislation, drafting contracts, and teaching social media classes to legislative staff.

 

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Website of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon: www.asmdc.org/speaker 

Toni G. Atkins is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. Having previously served as Speaker of the California Assembly, she began her tenure in the Senate in 2016. As Senator for District 39, she represents the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Solana Beach. Website of President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: www.senate.ca.gov/Atkins