City Attorney

Advising Responsibilities

The City Council appoints the City Attorney to serve as legal counsel to the City as an entity. The City Attorney advises the City Council, boards, commissions, and city staff on a broad range of municipal issues. These matters typically include open meeting laws, public record laws, conflicts of interests, land use and environmental laws, claims and litigation, municipal elections, employment and labor relations, municipal utilities, public works contracts, and code enforcement. The City Attorney’s Office prepares resolutions, ordinances, and other legal documents.

The City Attorney’s mission is to foster trust and transparency with community members, partners, and fellow employees. The City Attorney cannot provide legal advice to an individual East Palo Alto resident or business on either City-related or private legal matters.  If you need representation, please refer to the Legal Resources link.