Board honors County Counsel Margo Raison upon retirement after 38 years of service

The Kern County Board of Supervisors on June 24 adopted a resolution honoring County Counsel Margo Raison upon her retirement after 38 years with the county. The board recognized Raison’s decades of service in multiple legal roles, including chief deputy of an employment section, interim risk manager and, since 2018, county counsel.

Supervisor Leticia Perez (chair) read the resolution and asked Raison to join the board at the podium. The board acknowledged Raison’s work on juvenile dependency, probate and conservatorship cases early in her career and later in employment law, personnel matters, disciplinary appeals and training. Perez credited Raison with helping the county navigate legal issues during the COVID-19 pandemic and with leading the county counsel’s office.

Raison spoke briefly, recalled her path to public-sector law and thanked colleagues. Board members from across the dais offered personal tributes, emphasizing her leadership, calm demeanor, training of staff and lengthy institutional knowledge.

Formal action Supervisor Perez moved adoption of the resolution and a fellow supervisor seconded. The board conducted a roll-call vote and approved the resolution 5–0.

Why this matters County counsel occupies a central advisory role across county departments and to the board. Supervisors said Raison’s departure marks the end of a long institutional era and they thanked her for mentoring staff and guiding legal strategy across many county functions.

Ending note The board presented the resolution and asked county staff and family to join Raison at the dais for photographs following the tribute.