Alumni Advisory Board Member: Lisa Travis

Lisa Travis is the County Counsel for Sacramento County. She was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to the position in June 2019. Lisa serves as the chief legal advisor for the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive Office, and to all County agencies and departments. The Office of the County Counsel is also the legal advisor to several County-related independent agencies, to all special districts of which the Board of Supervisors is the governing body, and to all other special districts to which the office is obligated to provide legal services.

Ms. Travis began her career with Sacramento County in 1998 and has represented almost every County department in her 27-year career. Her specialization, however, was advising the County of Sacramento and several special districts on all aspects of public works contracting and construction, including providing advice on public contracting requirements, negotiating public works contracts, defending alleged unlawful bidding litigation, mediating and arbitrating construction claims and defending public works breach of contract litigation. She is a member of the Attorneys Committee for the California Association of Sanitation Agencies and the County Counsels Association. Ms. Travis received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1992.

Ms. Travis is married to Matthew Ruyak, Assistant City Attorney for the City of Sacramento. They have two daughters, Poppy and Tiger Lily. Poppy is a 2023 graduate of Cal Poly, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Wine & Viticulture. When not traveling the United States to see their favorite bands, the family spends time at their cabin in Lake Tahoe.