Greg Totten (JD ‘82) Announces Retirement as Ventura County District Attorney

Greg Totten (JD '82) recently announced his retirement after 18 years in the office of the Ventura County District Attorney. Greg began working as a clerk at the Ventura County District Attorney's office in the fall of 1982 after graduating from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in May of that year. He continued to work in various departments in the office, eventually rising to the position of District Attorney.

Greg currently serves on the Pepperdine Caruso Law Board of Advisors, is an active mentor in the Parris Institute Preceptor Program, and is actively involved in teaching and training law students and Pepperdine externs and attorneys in his office. Greg and his wife Irene traveled to the U.S. Supreme Court several years ago, and he was sworn in with the Pepperdine Caruso Law group.

Dean Paul Caron commented, "Greg has been an incredible example of a public servant. He has served as a model to our students, alumni, faculty, and staff. It has brought the whole Pepperdine community great pride to know that one of ours has served Ventura County for so long with such distinction. We are very grateful for the many students and alumni who began fruitful legal careers in Greg's office, and I can think of no better training for our students and alumni than to serve under the tutelage of such a wise mentor. We are excited about what lies ahead for Greg in leading the California District Attorneys Association. Indeed, I cannot think of another person better suited for such an important position."

Dean Emeritus and Senior Vice Chancellor Ronald Phillips, who was the Dean at the time Greg went to law school, added, "Greg Totten (JD '82), long time member of the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law Board of Visitors, and its successor, the Law School Board of Advisors, and has put together a most successful career as District Attorney of Ventura County, California, stretching over close to two decades. His sterling character, attention to details, and firm commitment to the cause of justice, including fairness both to crime victims and their accused, have resulted in the building of an impeccable professional reputation. As he concludes this most impressive chapter to assume the position of CEO for the California District Attorneys Association, he leaves behind a record that will be most difficult for anyone to replicate. Fortunately, though he will no longer be living in the County just next door to us, his commitment to the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law will remain a constant in his life, for which we are most grateful."

Greg said, "I have been blessed with a very fulfilling career and credit the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law for preparing me for service as a prosecutor and elected district attorney. The curriculum, culture, and faculty emphasis on high ethical standards, integrity, and character left an indelible imprint on me personally and professionally. As I move on to a new role serving prosecutors at the statewide level, I look forward to continuing my engagement with the School of Law and its students."

Greg will be joining the California District Attorneys Association, a Sacramento-based professional society trains prosecutors and influences policy.

News of Greg Totten's retirement is published in the VC Star, which may be found here.