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Office of the City Attorney

City Attorney Divisions

The Office of the City Attorney is comprised of four divisions:

Administration Division

The Administration Division manages the Office’s daily operations, including personnel, budgeting, accounting, IT, and contracts. It oversees HR and finance/IT staff, handles recruitment, evaluations, training, and employee relations, and ensures compliance with City policies and labor agreements. The Division also manages the Office’s budget, IT strategy, contracts, and takes part in labor negotiations.

Civil Advisory Division

The Advisory Division provides advice to the City and each of its departments, including the City Council and Mayor. The Advisory Division is divided into eight areas:

Council and Government Unit

The Council and Government Unit provides legal support to the City Council and the City’s independent departments. The group works closely with the Council President’s Office and provides legal support during open and closed session Council meetings. The team serves as general counsel to the Housing Authority and advises numerous departments and offices, including the City Clerk, Independent Budget Analyst, City Auditor, Office of Government Affairs, the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department, Your Safe Place, the Redistricting Commission, and the Office of Boards and Commissions. Attorneys in this Unit also advise the Civil Service Commission and the City Council’s Rules and Audit Committees.

Environment Unit

The Environment Unit advises the City’s Environmental Services Department, Storm Water Department, Transportation Department, and General Services – Energy Division and Facilities Division. Attorneys in this Unit advise on city-wide energy management and efficiency projects, in addition to legal topics related to the City’s 3,000 mile transportation system, all among the largest in California. In addition to advising on parking meters, and other parking-related matters, the Unit focuses on issues related to solid waste, including City solid waste facilities and City-provided refuse collection, recycling, SB 1383 compliance, the City’s asbestos, lead, and mold program, municipal and industrial storm water flood control, water quality regulations, and stormwater infrastructure maintenance.  The Unit works on initiatives such as the City’s Zero Waste Plan and Climate Action Plan, and interacts with government agencies, such as the California Public Utilities Commission, San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency, and San Diego County Air Pollution Control District. The Unit also provides legal advice related to the maintenance and repair of City facilities.

Gun Violence Reduction Unit

The Gun Violence Reduction Unit works collaboratively with the San Diego Police Department to reduce gun violence. Attorneys in the Unit file petitions on behalf of the Police Department seeking Gun Violence Restraining Orders when someone poses a significant danger of personal injury to themselves or another by possessing a firearm or ammunition. In addition to appearing in Superior Court, attorneys in the Unit handle appellate matters and advise the Police Department on search warrants, firearms destruction petitions, implementation of firearms relinquishment laws, and other matters related to firearms. The Unit also leads the San Diego Countywide Gun Relinquishment Task Force and coordinates with partner agencies on cross-jurisdictional cases and best practices. Finally, the Unit provides training and technical assistance for other agencies, cities, and counties throughout California seeking to implement a gun violence restraining order program in their region.

Housing Protection and Civil Code Compliance Unit (HPU)

The Housing Protection and Civil Code Compliance Unit (HPU) is a new unit within the City Attorney’s Office dedicated to ensuring that housing in San Diego is safe, fair, and livable. HPU takes a focused approach to addressing persistent code violations, substandard rental housing conditions, unfair business practices, and situations where there may be a pattern or practice of violating the Tenant Protection Ordinance or the Short-Term Residential Occupancy Ordinance. By identifying patterns of noncompliance, HPU pursues legal action against repeat violators and works to resolve broader public nuisance issues that undermine housing stability, distort the rental market, and impact quality of life. Its goal is to bring problem properties into compliance as quickly as possible, so that safe housing remains accessible to all San Diegans.

Learn more about the Housing Protection and Civil Code Compliance Unit (HPU)

Infrastructure Unit

The Infrastructure Unit advises the Engineering and Capital Projects Department, the Compliance Department, and the Public Utilities Department. Attorneys in this Unit provide legal advice on the construction, operation, and maintenance of City infrastructure and public utilities, including the City’s water and wastewater systems, and the City’s Pure Water Project. The Unit often advises on complex public works contracts, grant funding, the City’s Project Labor Agreement, state prevailing wage laws, contract disputes, Americans with Disabilities (ADA) issues, state and federal water and wastewater regulations, and other Municipal contracting matters.

Land Use Unit

The Land Use Unit advises the City’s Development Services Department, the City Planning Department, Hearing Officer, Historical Resources Board, and the Planning Commission. Attorneys in this Unit advise on land use issues and assist the City with all aspects of public and private development in the City, including matters relating to land use entitlements, historical resources, telecommunication facilities, the California Coastal Commission, the building code, community planning, land development code regulations, housing development projects, and the associated environmental reviews. Work in the Land Use Unit also includes advising on compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP), and the state and federal Endangered Species Act.

Public Finance and Economic Development Unit

The Public Finance and Economic Development Unit advises the Economic Development Department, the Department of Finance, the City Treasurer, and the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst. Attorneys in the Unit work on a variety of matters including local tax and revenue collection, local economic development programs, redevelopment, and affordable housing. Attorneys also assist with the bond issuances and state and federal loans to finance the City’s capital projects, in addition to advising on matters related to the adoption and implementation of the City’s annual budget. Other matters include advising on Community Development Block Grants, compliance with securities and disclosure laws, creation and ongoing administration of assessment districts, financing districts, local business incentive programs, corporate sponsorship programs, and the City’s cultural affairs.

Public Records and Communications Unit

The Public Records and Communications Unit provides legal advice and support to the City’s Public Records Act Administration, which coordinates responses to more than 8,000 California Public Records Act requests sent to the City each year. The Unit also assists all City departments with request review, analysis, and training as needed to promote open government and transparency. Additionally, the Unit provides legal support to the City’s Communications Department, which responds to media inquiries, shares information about City issues, and provides live coverage of public meetings.

Public Safety Unit

The Public Safety Unit advises the Police Department, Fire-Rescue Department, including Lifeguards, the Office of Emergency Services, and the Special Events and Filming Department. Attorneys in this Unit advise on a wide variety of legal topics, including emergency response, disaster preparedness and response, constitutional law, special event permitting, filming, and management, use of technology, mutual aid, grant funding, compliance with state and federal law, brush management, Fire Code enforcement, and Police-Regulated Businesses. The attorneys in this Unit appear in Superior Court and administrative hearings related to public safety issues or labor and employment matters.

Public Services Unit

The Public Services Unit advises on a variety of matters, and numerous City departments. Public Services advises the Purchasing & Contracting Department, including Equal Opportunity Contracting, on matters related to procurement of goods, services, and consultants. Public Services also advises the Departments of Information Technology, Performance & Analytics, the Fleet Operations section of the General Services Department, and the Compliance Department. Attorneys in the Public Services Unit focus on issues including the use of social media, data management, intellectual property, digital equity, emergency communications, Municipal contracting, and application of the Living Wage Ordinance. Additionally, the Public Services Unit advises the Parks and Recreation Department and the Libraries Department, which includes the Office of Child and Youth Success.  Attorneys advising these Departments work on a variety of topics, including permitting, use of City facilities, constitutional law, public contracting, Park Ranger enforcement of the Municipal Code, and many other issues. The Public Services Unit also advises on Maintenance Assessment Districts.

Real Property Unit

The Real Property Unit provides advice and legal support to the Economic Development Department on matters related to real estate transactions, real estate development, leasing of property, telecommunications facilities, and the City’s airports. Attorneys in this Unit review complex transactions, advise on grant and affordable housing topics and assist the City with the legal aspects of all real property transactions.

Civil Litigation Division

The Civil Litigation Division prosecutes or defends civil lawsuits in which the City is a party. The Civil Litigation Divison is divided into four units:

Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit (ACE)

The San Diego City Attorney’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit pursues public interest causes of action on behalf of the People of the State of California under the Unfair Competition Law, including consumer privacy, predatory lending, and unsafe and dangerous products. The ACE Unit enforces laws that protect consumers, employees, and the environment, and advocates for change when existing laws fall short. Through its own litigation and by collaborating with others inside and outside government, the ACE Unit protects public health and safety, restores environmental quality, and sustains economic vitality.

Learn more about the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit

General Litigation Unit

General Litigation Unit prepares and defends civil actions on behalf of the City in state and federal courts. Each attorney assigned to the General Litigation Unit handles a significant case load defending the City of San Diego, and City Departments. Each attorney is also responsible for appeals arising from assigned civil cases.

The General Litigation Unit's caseload includes police false arrest and excessive force cases, personal injury cases, property damage cases, dangerous condition cases, motor vehicle accidents, indemnity claims, claims related to funding and revenue sources such as City taxes and fees, employment cases alleging discrimination, retaliation, harassment or unpaid wages, proceedings before the Civil Service Commission or Cal OSHA, constitutional claims including legal challenges to City ordinances, resolutions, actions and policies, and cases challenging the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Brown Act, and the California Public Records Act.

Land Use, Writs, and Appeals Unit

The Land Use, Writs, and Appeals Unit prepares and defends civil actions on behalf of the City in state and federal court, including challenges based on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), eminent domain, constitutional issues related to the use of land, real estate development, failure to comply with the Municipal Code or City procedures, and land use-related decisions by the City Council, Planning Commission, and City staff. In addition to land use related cases, the Unit handles a wide range of cases, including but not limited to Proposition 218 challenges; pension/retirement claims; pre- and post-election challenges; validation actions; declaratory relief actions; and Code of Civil Procedure section 1085 and 1094.5 writs. The Unit handles all land use appeals and will also handle or assist with any writs or appeals from cases deriving from other Litigation Units.

Workers' Compensation Unit

Workers’ Compensation Unit works closely with the Risk Management Department to provide legal advice on a wide range of issues, from interpretation of legislative changes, to operational decisions regarding benefits and medical care. In addition to its advisory role, the unit handles all aspects of litigation at the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, including trials, hearings, liens, death benefits, motions, and appeals. The Unit also recovers workers’ compensation expenditures from third parties in subrogation litigation.

Criminal and Community Justice Division

The Criminal and Community Justice Division prosecutes misdemeanors and infractions committed within City limits, focusing on cases that impact community quality of life. Prosecutors collaborate with the community, police, and other law enforcement agencies to promote safety, and justice. It is organized into seven units: Case Issuance Unit, General Trial Unit, Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Unit, Special Prosecutions Unit, Appellate Unit, Neighborhood Justice and Collaborative Courts Unit (NJU), and Prosecution Operations Unit. Prosecutors also work closely with Your Safe Place – The San Diego Family Justice Center, to ensure victims of domestic violence are provided information on all services necessary to keep them safe.

This division handles a wide range of crimes, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, drug possession and use, battery, domestic violence, vandalism, graffiti, theft, weapons and firearms offenses, reckless driving, hit-and-run, furnishing alcohol to minors, minors in possession of alcohol, resisting arrest, embezzlement, and identity theft.

The division also oversees the Community Justice Initiative and the collaborative courts program, which includes Behavioral Health Court, Mental Health Diversion, Veterans’ Treatment Court, Military Diversion, Drug Court, and Homeless Court.  As prosecutors dedicated to community justice, we are committed to advocating for the best solutions to safeguard public safety. Our approach involves not just prosecution but also facilitating offenders' transition back into society through appropriate treatment and supervision. This integrated strategy aims to reduce the likelihood of recidivism, promoting a safer and fairer community for everyone.

The Division is organized into seven units:

Case Issuance Unit

This unit is charged with the responsibility of screening and reviewing requests from criminal complaints each month from law enforcement agencies. More than 1,000 criminal complaints are filed each month in Superior Court. Victims of crime are assisted by our Victim Services Coordinators who guide victims through the criminal case process.

General Trial Unit

The unit promotes justice and protects the people of San Diego by aggressively and fairly prosecuting those who violate the law. This unit is responsible for processing, negotiating, and trying all cases to which defendants plead not guilty. Trial deputies handle trials, various hearings such as probation revocation hearings, and restitution hearings, as well as arraignment and trial readiness. Driving under the influence of drugs and drug and alcohol combo cases are prosecuted by a specialized team of experienced deputies who vertically handle these cases throughout each step of the criminal process. The unit steadfastly protects the rights of crime victims by obtaining restitution orders and making San Diego a safer community for everyone.

Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Unit

The Domestic Violence an Sex Crimes Unit handles misdemeanor cases of domestic violence, elder abuse, animal abuse, sexual battery, stalking, and child abuse, including neglect, molestation, and statutory rape. This unit was designated as a state-of-the-art program by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, which lauded the unit’s innovative approach to prosecuting domestic violence cases, with or without the victim’s participation.

To prevent family violence from escalating and perpetuating over generations, this unit focuses on early prevention at the misdemeanor level, coupled with a coordinated community response to protect victims and provide information on safety plans. Our Deputy City Attorneys handle all aspects of a case from the time a report is received until a resolution is reached, and they also work closely with Your Safe Place – The San Diego Family Justice Center, to ensure victims of domestic violence are provided information on all services necessary to keep them safe.

For information or questions about criminal cases being handled by the Domestic Violence Unit, please call 619-533-5544 or email CityAttyCrimInfo@sandiego.gov.

Learn more about the Domestic Violence & Sex Crimes Unit

Special Prosecutions Unit

This Unit was created to vertically prosecute complex criminal cases. Cases are submitted and reviewed for prosecution, and then handled from arraignment to sentencing by experienced prosecutors in the office. The Unit is responsible for prosecuting all cases involving charges of firearms offenses, hate crimes, vehicular manslaughter, and those that run unlawful cannabis delivery services. The Unit also handles cases involving First Amendment issues, and other uniquely complex or sensitive cases by obtaining restitution orders and making San Diego a safer community for everyone.

Appellate Unit

This unit is responsible for writs and appeals. Most appeals are handled in the San Diego Superior Court Appellate Department, but it is not unusual for Appellate deputies to practice in the Fourth District Court of Appeal, and to a lesser extent, in the California Supreme Court and the federal courts. The unit has participated in published opinions at all levels of the state courts. In addition, the unit writes and argues motions and writs at the pre-trial, trial, and post-trial stage. Some examples are demurrers, motions to suppress evidence, and writs of mandate. The Appellate Unit also provides legal research support to the other units.

Neighborhood Justice and Collaborative Courts Unit (NJU)

The Deputies in this unit are also known as "Neighborhood Prosecutors", in cooperation with the San Diego Police Department, other agencies, and the community, they work aggressively and creatively to address quality-of-life crimes. These crimes include trespass, graffiti, vandalism, and chronic substance use. Deputy City Attorneys work in targeted neighborhoods side-by-side with police officers and community members on problem-solving initiatives.

The San Diego City Attorney’s Office created the Community Justice Initiative (CJI). CJI gives people who commit low-level misdemeanors a second chance. Participants can earn a dismissal of their criminal conviction by completing community service. Additionally, participants have access to community-based resources.

The Deputies also practice in Behavioral Health Court, VTC, Drug Court, the Sex Trafficking Education and Prevention Program (STEPP), the Beach Area Community Court, and Homeless Court.

Prosecution Operations Unit

The Prosecution Operations Unit plays a vital role in supporting the Criminal and Community Justice Division by managing case data and preparing reports. Additionally, it serves as the records management coordinator for the Division. The unit is responsible for recruiting personnel and coordinating training efforts across the Division. Working closely with prosecutors, law enforcement, and court personnel, the unit aims to streamline workflows and enhance the efficiency and integrity of prosecutorial operations. Its efforts are essential for ensuring that the Division operates smoothly and effectively.