Paula de Sousa is a seasoned legal advisor with over 25 years of experience serving as general and special counsel to public agencies across California. A partner in Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Special Districts practice group, she is widely recognized for representing special districts and Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs).

Paula currently serves as Co-General Counsel to the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA), where she plays a key role in advancing innovative, collaborative housing solutions for one of the most populous regions in the nation. Her work with LACAHSA reflects her commitment to helping public agencies navigate complex governance, land use, and housing issues in support of equitable community development.

Throughout her career, Paula has advised on a wide array of public agency legal matters, including the Brown Act, California Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, public works and procurement, real property, and interagency agreements and the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000. She advises on, and assists in, the drafting of legislation and white paper reports regarding the reorganization of local government agencies.

Paula has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in environmental law since 2019 and was named one of the Women of Influence in Law honorees by the San Diego Business Journal in 2023.

Paula received her J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and her B.A. in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.