Meet San Mateo County's New County Counsel

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — John Nibbelin was appointed the new county counsel for San Mateo County, the county’s Board of Supervisors announced Monday.

Nibbelin, who will replace the retiring John Beiers on April 1, has served as chief deputy county counsel since 2011 and on the county’s legal team since 2001.

Don Horsley, the president of the Board of Supervisors, said that all of the final candidates who interviewed were “outstanding,” but Nibbelin was chosen “for his extensive work with the Board on multiple complex legal challenges” including the county’s response to the pandemic and initiatives to further diversity, equity and inclusion.

“John is a rare legal talent, a top-notch person, with natural leadership skills,” Beiers said. “The Board made a wonderful decision, and the people of San Mateo County are fortunate to have him in charge of the County Counsel’s office.”

Nibbelin, a Pacifica resident, also serves on Pacifica’s Planning Commission. He was a commissioner officer in the Army for nearly three decades. Nibbelin will oversee a $23 million budget and 49 employees at the county counsel’s office.

“San Mateo County has been on the leading edge of so many issues – financial privacy rights, health care for all, affordable housing,” Nibbelin said. “I look forward to helping to make San Mateo County a better, fairer, safer and healthier place. That motivates me pretty much every day.”