Department Overview

Authority and Function

The language in the Sacramento City Charter relating to the City Attorney is set forth in Section 72, and reads as follows:

The City Council shall appoint a City Attorney and shall prescribe the qualifications, duties and compensation of such officer. The City Attorney shall serve as legal counsel to the city government and all officers, departments, boards, commissions and agencies thereof and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by state law and by ordinance or resolution of the City Council. In situations where the City Attorney determines there is a conflict in representation by that office, the City Council may authorize the retention of other legal counsel to represent one of the conflicting parties. The City Attorney shall appoint all other members of the City Attorney's office.

Mission

The Sacramento City Attorney's Office strives to provide the highest quality legal services to the City of Sacramento.

Core Principles

Commitment to public service
Zealous client representation
Timely, responsive counsel
Solutions through collaboration
Professionalism with integrity

staff

The City Attorney's Office is comprised of 47 members: 30 attorneys and 17 support staff.