The City Attorney and staff have three primary categories of responsibility:

First, policing the official actions of the City, its elected officials, and employees to ensure that they do not violate the law or the ethical standards provided by law.

Second, providing advice to and advocating on behalf of elected officials and bureau managers and staff, to support municipal operations, programs, and community policies.

Third, approving or disapproving contracts, agreements, ordinances, and other official City actions, including ballot titles, settlements of employee grievances, disputed claim settlements, property deeds and instruments, to ensure actions are legally binding, in proper form, and not subject to hidden liability.