City Attorney's Office

Mission Statement


Our mission is to provide the highest quality legal services to the City’s elected and appointed officials and staff in conducting City business. We support the City by (1) providing legal advice and opinions, (2) drafting and reviewing contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and other documents needed to accomplish the City's policies and goals, (3) representing the City's legal interests in court and administrative proceedings, and (4) prosecuting violations of the City Charter and Municipal Code.

Overview

Under the City Charter, the City Attorney is appointed by the City Council to act as the City's general counsel. As the City's general counsel, the City Attorney provides a full range of legal services to the City and manages outside special counsel. Among other things, the City Attorney is the chief legal advisor to the City Council, City Manager, all City departments, and all appointed boards and commissions. In addition, the City Attorney litigates both civil and criminal cases on the City's behalf.

The City Attorney's Office cannot provide private legal advice to residents nor does it ordinarily prosecute violations of State law, including the California Penal Code and California Vehicle Code.
 

If you need to speak with a lawyer about a matter that is not related to City business, you can contact the Ventura County Bar Association. To report a violation of State law, contact the Ventura Police Department at 805-654-2500.