Sonoma County Counsel Robert Pittman announces retirement

Robert Pittman, the top attorney responsible for advising the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and overseeing the county’s legal department, is retiring.

Pittman, 60, who has served as county counsel for more than five years, is the third senior county official since July to announce their departure, marking significant turnover at the top of county government.

County Executive Christina Rivera announced her retirement plans last week, and Tennis Wick, the planning and permitting department director is set to retire from his post this month.

Pittman’s last day will come in January 2026, close to Rivera’s expected retirement.

Pittman, in a Thursday morning interview, said his decision to leave was unrelated to Rivera’s departure, but the two coordinated their announcements after learning about each other’s plans.

“We realized recently that our timelines were converging,” Pittman said. “I think I’ve been contemplating this longer than she has, but you know, with her contract coming up (it) made her start thinking.”

Pittman said he began considering retirement when his contract was renewed in September 2024, but became more serious about it in the past four months while caring for an aging parent, which required travel out of state.

The anticipated release of the county government center environmental impact report, the start of negotiations with the county’s labor groups, and the overhaul of the transformation plan for the Sonoma Developmental Center — all coming down the pike in 2026 — added a sense of timeliness, Pittman said.

A change in counsel in the middle of those “major projects” would be challenging for the county, he added.

“I love the work and I love the people I work with, but it’s time for the next generation to step in,” Pittman said. “I surrounded myself with a pretty extraordinary team, and they’re ready to carry the torch.”

Board Chair Lynda Hopkins, who was in a closed session meeting Thursday, said in a text, that the board regularly works with Pittman’s deputies and other attorneys in the department, who she called “an excellent team.”

“I’m confident that regardless of who is selected to lead the office next year, the tremendous team Bob has built will keep the County Counsel’s Office running smoothly,” she said.

She admitted that she was surprised to learn that Pittman and Rivera planned to retire so close together. Human Resources Director Janell Crane encouraged the two senior administrators to inform the board “ASAP” of their retirement plans, Hopkins said.

“The fact that we’re finding out about these retirement plans early gives us plenty of time to recruit and hire for the positions,” she added.

As county counsel, Pittman is responsible for overseeing a department of 41 employees, including 30 lawyers, with a budget of about $13.7 million.

Perhaps Pittman’s most visible role is as the Board of Supervisors’ main legal adviser, which requires him to join the elected supervisors on the dais during public meetings where he is responsible for helping the board follow voting procedures and open meeting law, among other laws that regulate governing bodies.

“I think the irony is, while it’s the pinnacle of your career, you’re less of a lawyer and more of an adviser and an administrator,” Pittman said.

Pittman has worked for the county for 14 years and has served as county counsel since September 2020. Before joining Sonoma County, Pittman worked for tens of cities and special districts throughout California.

The county will conduct a national recruitment to fill the top role in the County Counsel’s Office. Pittman said he expects that person will be in place in time for his departure.

You can reach Staff Writer Emma Murphy at 707-521-5228 or emma.murphy@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MurphReports.