Brandon L. Darnell is a Deputy Legislative Counsel. He first joined the office in 2012.

Mr. Darnell is assigned to a branch of the office that handles laws relating to air resources, elementary and secondary education, fish and wildlife, food and agriculture, harbors and navigation, hazardous materials, postsecondary education, public resources, public safety, public utilities, solid waste, streets and highways, transportation, and water.

In 2017, Mr. Darnell transitioned from the office to work as a Principal Consultant for the California Senate Education Committee, where he analyzed pending legislation primarily relating to the areas of accountability, assessments, curriculum, health and nutrition, pupil rights, school safety, and suspensions and expulsions. He rejoined the office in 2022.

Mr. Darnell was previously assigned to the Opinion Branch, which develops and presents, either in written or oral form, the formal legal opinions of the Office of Legislative Counsel. He was also previously assigned to his current branch.

Prior to joining the office, Mr. Darnell served as a certified legal intern in the Juvenile Delinquency Division of the San Diego County Office of the Public Defender and worked as a law clerk at a private law firm.

Mr. Darnell received his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law, with a concentration in Public Interest Law and an emphasis on Children’s Rights. While at the University of San Diego School of Law, he was a member of the San Diego Law Review and participated in the Children's Advocacy Institute. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science, with a minor in economics, from Fresno State, where he graduated cum laude.

Mr. Darnell is a member of the California State Bar.