The City Council appoints the City Attorney to serve as chief legal counsel to Sunnyvale’s city government.

The City Attorney advises the Mayor, City Council, Boards and Commissions, the City’s departments, and City staff. The Attorney’s office gives counsel on a broad range of municipal issues, including open meeting and public record laws, conflicts of interest, land use and environmental laws, municipal elections, employment and labor relations, municipal utilities, public works contracts and code enforcement.

The City Attorney’s Office drafts resolutions, ordinances and legal documents. The City Attorney represents the City in litigation, administrative hearings, and other legal proceedings. The City Attorney also manages all work performed by outside counsel.

The office is also responsible for providing legal services to the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Sunnyvale and the Sunnyvale Financing Authority.

Department Organizational Chart

Private Representation

By law the City Attorney can only provide advice to the City Council, City Manager, and City departments on official City business, representing the City itself. The City Attorney cannot provide legal advice to individuals or private entities on either City-related or private legal matters.

If you need private representation check with these other legal resources.

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