Robert Faigin was appointed Special Assistant to the San Diego County Sheriff in 2001.  He currently serves as the Director of Sheriff's Legal Affairs/Chief Attorney to Sheriff Bill Gore.  He is responsible for providing legal advice to the Sheriff, Command Staff, and other departmental personnel.

As head of the Legal Affairs Unit, Robert and his staff provide legal opinions, conduct research on a variety of legal issues affecting the department, review pleadings and departmental documents for legal sufficiency, and coordinate various litigation matters for the Office of County Counsel.  His current areas of emphasis include criminal law and procedure, civil rights liability, employment and labor law, detentions, and peace officer bill of rights.

Prior to joining the Sheriff's Department, Robert served as a Deputy District Attorney in Solano County and a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Lassen County.  As a prosecutor, he handled cases from charging to sentencing.  In Solano County, he prosecuted family violence cases including domestic violence, child and elder abuse.  In Lassen County, he prosecuted misdemeanor and general felonies including violent crimes, domestic violence, property and theft crimes.  Robert has tried over 50 jury trials to verdict in addition to hundreds of bench trials.

Robert has served on numerous boards and been involved in many organizations.  Robert currently serves as the Chair of the Legal Officers' Section of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is a founding member of the National Sheriffs' Association Legal Section.  Robert is also a past State Chair of the California Peace Officers Association, Police Legal Advisors section.  He is currently a member of the San Diego County Bar Association, the California Peace Officers’ Association, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the National Sheriff's Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Robert holds a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law.  He is admitted to practice in all courts of California, Nevada and before the United States Supreme Court.  Robert holds a Master of Science in Public Administration from California State University Dominguez Hills.  He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science from the University of Nevada Reno.

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