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Departmental Functions
General Counsel
The City Attorney is the chief legal officer of the City,
and is responsible to the City Council for the proper administration and
coordination of all City legal affairs. Among other things, the City
Attorney: prepares and/or reviews all City ordinances, resolutions, contracts
and other legal documents; attends City Council, Planning Commission,
Environmental Review Board, City Staff and other meetings; conducts legal
research and renders opinions on a variety of City issues; and provides legal
advice to City officials and employees.
Prosecution
The City contracts with the Orange County District
Attorney's Office for the prosecution of most local municipal code violations
(infractions and misdemeanors). The City Attorney coordinates with the
District Attorney's Office, and may personally represent the City in
prosecution when appropriate.
Litigation
The City Attorney generally represents the City in
litigation. In some cases, the City Attorney may recommend the engagement of
other law firms to assist the City on certain cases. The City Attorney also
monitors the performance of other agencies and special counsel (i.e.
California Joint Powers Insurance Authority) in the handling of liability and
other claims and lawsuits against the City.
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