Carmen L. Gibbs, Assistant Chief Counsel



Carmen L. Gibbs serves as the Assistant Chief Counsel of the California Civil Rights Department handling general counsel matters. Prior to coming to CRD, she was senior staff counsel at California Department of Aging from 2019 – 2022. Her first position at the state was as an attorney with the Department of Community Services and Development.

Carmen Gibbs has served in the nonprofit sector for over 15 years working for nonprofit law firms and California superior courts. She currently serves as the 2022-23 Chair of the Public Law Sector for the California Lawyers Association.

Ms. Gibbs received her law degree from University of San Francisco School of Law, and her Bachelor’s degree from California Polytechnic State University, Pomona (B.A. in Political Science). She served as the Judicial Administration Fellow for Capital Fellows Program sponsored by California State University Sacramento. She grew up in Northern California.

As Assistant Chief Counsel, Carmen strives to embody and promote the values of communication, compassion, and collaboration. Carmen dedicates her career to her parents, especially to the memory of her mother, her family, and to those who are under- and misrepresented in California. She will continue to fight for justice and equity for the most disadvantaged Californians and will apply the personal stories and lessons she has been taught to her work.


Communication Center: 800-884-1684 (voice), 800-700-2320 (TTY) or
California's Relay Service at 711 | contact.center@calcivilrights.ca.gov