Michael Baranic was appointed Director of Legal Affairs and the Sheriff's Chief Legal Advisor by Sheriff Martinez in 2022. He previously served as a Legal Advisor under Sheriff Gore providing advice and guidance to the Sheriff's Human Resource Services, Detention Services, Court Services and Management Services Bureaus.

As the Director of Legal Affairs, he is a member of the Sheriff's Executive Team and oversees the Sheriff’s Legal Affairs Unit which provides advice to the Sheriff and Sheriff's Department personnel with respect to various aspects of Department operations.

Michael’s duties include monitoring compliance with current laws and regulations, as well as Department and County policies and procedures; formulating, reviewing, and recommending policy and operational improvements; producing training bulletins; critical incident response; assessing police liability and risk; representing the Sheriff in court appearances, administrative hearings, and before legislative bodies; and rendering legal advice and opinions to the Sheriff and members of the Department on a variety of matters related to law enforcement, detentions and employment laws and issues.

Prior to joining the Sheriff's Office, Michael was in private practice representing public sector employees and labor unions, primarily law enforcement officers and law enforcement associations. In his private practice, Michael represented public sector employee organizations in labor relations and negotiation matters, as well as individual members in internal investigative, administrative and disciplinary proceedings. His practice included representation of individuals and public sector employees and labor organizations before many local, state and federal level boards and commissions, including the San Diego County Civil Service Commission, the City of San Diego Civil Service Commission, the California Public Employment Relations Board, the California State Personnel Board, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Michael earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego, School of Law in 1999. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego.

Michael is admitted to practice in California, as well as the United States District Court, Southern District of California; United States District Court, District of Arizona; the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; the United States Court of Claims and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the Labor and Employment Law Sections of the California State Bar, and the San Diego County Bar Association.

Return to Command Staff