The Legal Department is directed by the City Attorney, who is appointed by the City Council. The Department provides advice, upon request, according to law to the City Council, the City Manager and other City officials, and all departments for legal matters pertaining to City business. As the Legal Advisor to the City Council, the City Attorney attends all Council meetings. As required by law, the Legal Department reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts, opinions, notices, insurance requirements and assists in processing claims against the City.

The Legal Department is responsible for the conduct of legal matters and court cases in which the City is involved. The Department files cases on behalf of the City and the City Council, as directed by the City Council, in matters where the City's interests are involved (for example Code enforcement) or damages have occurred to the City by virtue of wrongful or negligent acts of others.

The Legal Department is also involved in the defense of lawsuits, most notably planning matters and other writ of mandate proceedings, which are not covered under the insurance program, but are covered in this part of the budget.

The Legal Department defends lawsuits brought against the City claiming damages by virtue of some City action or inaction. Many of these latter lawsuits are "tort" matters. Other cases involve civil rights, inverse condemnation, and special environmental allegations. These matters are ongoing and average in any given year between 50 to 100 claims or suits. These matters are reported through the City's insurance program, which is funded by the Liability Insurance Fund (Fund 602). Reports conceming the status of these matters are made regularly to the City's Insurance Administrator who reviews and assists in directing the defense of the cases.

In addition, the Legal Department is involved in the defense of Workers' Compensation cases, which are reported and funded under the Workers' Compensation Fund (Fund 603). Reports are regularly made to the City's Workers' Compensation Administrator who reviews and participates in the defense of these matters.