City Attorney
Provide high quality, responsive and cost-effective legal representation and advice to the City Council, Boards, Commissions and City departments.
About the City Attorney
The City Attorney’s Office is responsible for all legal representation and advice for the City Council, Boards, Commissions and all City officers and staff in all matters of law pertaining to the City.
These responsibilities include, but are not limited to: attending City Council, Planning Commission and other board and commission meetings as needed; handling over 1,000 annual opinion requests and other legal work assignments; and weekly agenda preparation and review of items that come before City Council and Planning Commission. In addition, the office is responsible for all City code enforcement and litigation services.
The office is staffed by eight attorneys (the City Attorney, six assistants and one deputy) and six support and paraprofessional staff, who work as a close team managing the City’s legal affairs. Many assignments cross over into several departments (e.g., Public Works, Community Development, Risk Management, Parks and Recreation, Police and Fire departments). Attorneys work cooperatively on complex matters such as the Measure C-funded Police Station project, State Street Promenade, and code enforcement. The office provides specialty services in litigation and water rights, as well as dedicated code enforcement and criminal prosecution services.