The Orange County Department of Education has appointed Gregory Rolen as its new general counsel, concluding a comprehensive selection process with a unanimous vote by the Orange County Board of Education.
Currently a partner at the firm of Haight Brown & Bonesteel, Rolen brings a wealth of experience in law and education, having served as general counsel for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and, more recently, advising the Orange County Board of Education on legal matters.
Starting Oct. 1, Rolen will lead OCDE’s Legal Services unit, which offers an array of services and counsel to Orange County’s school districts, the county superintendent and the county Board of Education. Other clients include local community college districts, regional occupational programs and special education local plan areas, or SELPAs, which coordinate special education resources and services within specific regions.
He will succeed former General Counsel Jeffrey Riel, who joined the Long Beach Unified School District in July. Before Riel arrived in 2018, Ron Wenkart held the position for more than 35 years.
“Greg Rolen’s extensive background, proven expertise in educational law and intimate understanding of our county will be indispensable assets for advancing the mission of the Orange County Department of Education,” said County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean. “Moreover, he brings a strategic vision that will be crucial as we tackle the complexities of education policy and governance, ensuring the highest levels of service to the 28 school districts we support.”
“We are extremely pleased to have Greg Rolen join us as the new general counsel,” said Orange County Board of Education President Dr. Ken Williams following the board’s approval on Sept. 4. “Greg’s understanding of our local challenges, his history of effective legal counsel and his commitment to public service are exactly what we need as we continue to support and uplift our educational communities.”
Rolen’s selection was preceded by two rounds of interviews with key constituents, including multiple district superintendents, members of the Orange County Board of Education, Dr. Bean and OCDE staff.
“Throughout my career, I have always strived to dedicate myself to public service, with a particular focus on the intricacies of educational law,” Rolen said. “As I step into this pivotal role at the OCDE, I am both honored and humbled to collaborate with the department’s dedicated staff and the talented educators across the county. Together, we will work to advance our educational initiatives and deliver comprehensive support with the goal of empowering communities and shaping the next generation of leaders.”
Legal background
Rolen’s career was inspired by his grandmother, Adaline Toner, who blazed trails as the first female deputy attorney general in Wisconsin.
“She told me I could become an attorney,” he said, “so I wanted to make her right.”
He began his legal journey as a certified law clerk and deputy district attorney at the Contra Costa County District’s Office. From 1989 to 1992, he prosecuted a range of felony and misdemeanor cases, achieving a high conviction rate. From 1993 to 1998, he served as deputy attorney general in the Office of the California Attorney General, focusing on litigation involving law enforcement and regulatory agencies, with considerable appellate practice.
His transition into private practice came in 1998 at Miller Brown & Dannis, where, as a senior associate, he handled complex civil litigation matters across multiple legal areas. In 2003, Rolen became a partner at Bassi Martini & Blum, leading that firm’s education law practice until 2005.
From 2005 to 2013, he took on the role of general counsel for Mt. Diablo Unified, where he’s credited with reducing legal expenditures by 50 percent while managing a comprehensive range of services, including maintenance and operation, food services, transportation and vendor oversight.
Rolen returned to private practice in 2014 as a partner at Haight Brown & Bonesteel. There, he’s remained actively involved with matters involving education, employment, workers’ compensation and labor. He has also provided general counsel services to multiple school districts and joint powers authorities, focusing on labor negotiations, employee discipline and governance issues. He has served as counsel to the Orange County Board of Education since 2018.
Education and family
Rolen has attended the University of San Diego, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in political science and history in 1985, graduating cum laude. He also played quarterback on the varsity football team.
He pursued his legal education at the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento, earning his juris doctor degree in 1989 with honors at entrance.
Rolen has been married to his wife, Marisol, for 12 years. The couple currently resides in Walnut Creek in Contra Costa County but is planning to move to Orange County. They have five children ranging in age from 20 to 26 in their blended family, including two who work in public education as special education teachers.
For the past 12 years, Rolen has maintained a standing date every Friday with his wife. He is also an avid football fan, continuing a family tradition by following the Indianapolis Colts and Notre Dame.
“I am excited to officially join the team here in Orange County, and I’m committed to leveraging my experience to help enhance educational outcomes for students,” Rolen said. “To me, it’s not just about navigating legal complexities. It’s about partnering with educators and staff to create a positive impact that echoes throughout our communities.”
The Orange County Department of Education serves Orange County’s most vulnerable student populations and provides support and mandated fiscal oversight to 28 school districts serving more than 600 schools and approximately 450,000 students.