Barry J. Schultz, City Attorney

Richard E. Romero, Assistant City Attorney

Ashlin Y. Lutes, Deputy City Attorney

Leah Muñoz, Executive Assistant IV

City Hall
1243 National City Boulevard
National City, CA. 91950-4301
(619) 336-4220
attorney@nationalcityca.gov

Department Overview

The City Attorney’s Office is the legal counsel for the City and the Community Development Commission (CDC), and advises the City Council, the City’s Boards and Commissions, and City staff. The office prepares and reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other documents. The City Attorney and staff serve as City Prosecutor in the adjudication of violations of City ordinances, and represent the City, its officials and employees in civil litigation, or supervise outside counsel in handling such litigation.

In general, the City Attorney’s Office provides the services necessary to accomplish the programs of the City’s policy makers according to legal requirements.

The following paragraphs detail the principal types of activities undertaken by the City Attorney’s Office.

Duties and Activities

Administrative Proceedings

The City Attorney's Office represents the affected City department in all disciplinary hearings before the Civil Service Commission, and in other administrative proceedings, including administrative citation hearings.

Civil Litigation

The City Attorney’s Office represents the City in actions to abate public nuisances, to collect delinquent taxes and fees, and to recover damages for destruction of City property. The Office is also responsible for the legal defense of all personal injury suits filed against the City and its officials and employees.

Code Enforcement

The City Attorney's Office represents the City in all actions brought to enforce violations of the Municipal Code. Most of these actions are pursued as administrative citations or as criminal actions brought in the name of the People of the State of California, although civil actions for injunction are also utilized. Most actions are brought to enforce planning and zoning violations or to enforce violations of the various uniform codes administered by the Director of Building and Safety.

Liability Risk Management Program

The City Risk Manager administers City’s Liability Risk Management Program and reports directly to the City Attorney.  The City’s Liability Risk Management Program seeks to manage the risks of loss facing the City, in terms of both human and financial resources utilizing the basic steps of the risk management function: risk identification and measurement, and the treatment techniques of avoidance, transfer, reduction or retention.

Staff Support for Meetings of the City Council and City Boards and Commissions

The City Attorney’s Office provides staff support for all meetings, including workshop meetings, of the City Council, Community Development Commission, Planning Commission, and Community and Police Relations Commission. In connection with these meetings, the Office reviews and/or prepares all ordinances adopted by the City Council, and all resolutions adopted by the Council and the other boards and commissions.

Transactional Duties

The City Attorney's Office prepares contracts and leases on behalf of the City and the Community Development Commission; provides legal advice in connection with the interpretation of City ordinances; assists the City Council, boards and commissions, and City staff on conflict of interest and Brown Act (public meeting law) issues; advises City employees, and responds directly to members of the public, concerning requests for City records under the Public Records Act; and reviews and assists in updating policy manuals and procedures with management staff.