The City Council appoints the City Attorney as the chief legal officer of the City. The City Attorney serves as the City’s “corporate” counsel and advises the City Council, City Boards and Commissions, and City staff on transactional, government operations, and litigation matters. Typical subjects on which the City Attorney advises include open meeting and public records laws; conflicts of interests; land use and environmental laws; claims and litigation; municipal elections; employment and labor relations; municipal utilities; procurement and other internal services; code enforcement; and the development of resolutions, ordinances, and other legal documents.

Frequently Referenced California Laws

The City Attorney cannot provide legal advice to an individual Belmont resident or businesses on either City-related or private legal matters. The City Attorney can only provide advice to City employees (whether elected, appointed, salaried, or volunteer) on official City business. For information on referrals to a private attorney, please contact the San Mateo County Bar Association at 333 Bradford Street, 2nd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063-1571, (650) 298-4030.