City Attorney Leaves San Ramon For Dream Job

Sheryl Schaffner had no desire to leave San Ramon.

She took over as city attorney in July 2010 and enjoyed the challenging work. She said it was rewarding to have the chance to work so close to the people, seeing democray in action.

But when she learned of a job opening in the exact field of law she always wished to practice, she had to apply. And, to her delight, she got the job.

Schaffner announced at Tuesday's City Council meeting she will officially leave the city on March 16 to work for the Midpennisula Regional Open Space District, which works to preserve open space in the Bay Area.

"This was the first job calling to me in terms of being exactly what I always wanted to do," Schaffner said. "It's the perfect fit. This was my long-time dream. I thought I wouldn't have a chance to do work like this until I retired. It's rare to have a paying position like this and I couldn't pass it up."

Schaffner has had a long-standing interest and background in environmental work, natural resource conservation and open space protection.

She was the editor and writer of an environmental policy journal while she was studying for her J.D. at UC Davis. She provided pro bono counsel for the Yolo Land Trust and Davis Agricultural Land Trust from 1994-02. For five years in the 1990s, she was staff counsel for the California Department of Conservation.

But even as she leaves to follow her dream, she said she will miss the city and people of San Ramon.

"It's a wonderful city," Schaffner said. "The staff here are some of the most professional and caring people I have met. It really will be hard to leave them."