No person shall be eligible for the office of City Attorney unless he shall have been admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the State of California and shall have been engaged in the practice of law in the State of California for at least five (5) years prior to his appointment. (Ratified Gen. Mun. Elec. 4/11/50, Amend. No. 11; Approved by State Legislature Concurrent Res. No. 32 on 3/15/51).

The City Attorney shall have the power and be required to:

a) Represent and advise the City Council and all City officials in all matters of law pertaining to their respective offices and/or duties.

b) Represent and appear for the City and any City officer, employee or former City officer or employee, in any and all actions or proceedings in which the City or any such officer or employee, in or by reason of his official capacity, is concerned or is a party. The City Council, at the request of the City Attorney, may employ other attorneys to assist in any litigation or other matter of interest to the City.

c) Approve the form of all bonds given to and all contracts made by the City, and amendments thereto.

d) Prepare any and all ordinances or resolutions for the City and amendments thereto.

e) To have charge of prosecuting on the behalf of the people all criminal cases for violations of this Charter, of City ordinances or of misdemeanor offenses arising upon violation of the laws of the State.

f) The City Council, on the recommendation of the City Attorney, may appoint such assistant City Attorneys or Deputy City Attorneys as may be required to carry out the functions of the office of the City Attorney and they shall have such duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the City Attorney. Any such assistants or deputies so appointed shall be members of the classified service of the City and shall be paid a salary commensurate with the duties assigned to them. (Ratified Gen. Mun. Elec. 4/10/56, Amend. No. 2; Approved by State Legislature Concurrent Res. No. 3 on 1/9/57).

g) On vacating the office, surrender to his successor all books, papers, files and documents pertaining to the City’s affairs. (Ratified Gen. Mun. Elec. 4/11/50, Amend. No. 11; Approved by State Legislature Concurrent Res. No. 32 on 3/15/51).