Ann Bramsen’s favorite place to work as an attorney is the courtroom, which offers the challenge of making split-second decisions and constantly changing strategy.

But she’ll put up with the paperwork of administrative duties for the opportunity to shape policy, bridge communication gaps between agencies and assist other attorneys as they work through problems.

Bramsen, 35, was promoted to chief assistant district attorney for the North County last month, filling the position left vacant by the retirement of Gene Martinez in September.

District Attorney Christie Stanley made the selection after considering a number of candidates.

“I was, of course, honored that she had the trust and faith in me to do that position and I was excited to have a new challenge,” Bramsen said.

As a chief assistant district attorney, Bramsen supervises the District Attorney’s offices in the North County. She said she still carves out time to be in the courtroom, however, and currently is handling a couple of gang homicide cases.

“I couldn’t do the administration If I couldn’t do the court work,” Bramsen said. “I’m lucky. I get to balance it. I get to do both.”

Bramsen was previously chief trial deputy for the North County, a job she held for almost three years. The chief trial deputy position has not yet been filled.

She has spent 10 years with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office in Santa Maria, which hired her as a deputy district attorney shortly after she passed the State Bar Exam.

The Reno, NV, native was an intern with the District Attorney’s Office while earning her undergraduate degree in history at UCSB and later while attending law school at Pepperdine University in Malibu.

Bramsen said that as an intern, she quickly learned she wanted to be a prosecutor.

“I love the fact that the D.A.s always get to do the right thing for the right reason,” she said.

She began her career with the District Attorney’s Office handling child abuse and domestic violence cases.

“I started with the most emotional, most taxing caseloads that we had. But I really enjoyed it, because I got to do some really good things for the kids, and help women that were in abusive situations.”

Now, as chief assistant district attorney, Bramsen said she hopes to keep morale up in an already well-functioning office plagued by tough economic circumstances.

“I think that’s our biggest challenge right now, to continue to protect public safety with less people without less cases.”

Martinez, who helped in the selection process of his successor, said Bramsen would have been his pick.

“I’m glad that Christie made that choice, because I can’t think of a better person to handle the job,” he said.

Martinez said Bramsen has wisdom and judgment skills well beyond her age.

“She’s one of the best trial attorneys around,” he said.

James Voysey, assistant public defender for Santa Barbara County, said Bramsen is balanced in her work, which she approaches with a strong ethical sense.

“She believes in what she does, and she’s just very good with people,” he added. “She’s a thoughtful individual.”

November 30, 2009