You Are Here : HOME / Administration/City Attorney

City Attorney

Renter's Protections
Click here(PDF, 152KB) to download important information for Alameda Renters who have been impacted by COVID-19

The mission of the City Attorney’s Office is to provide the City with the highest level of legal representation. As advisors to City officials and staff, we provide timely and comprehensive assistance. As advocates, we represent the City and its employees vigorously and fairly. As prosecutors, we diligently and justly enforce the law on behalf of the People of the State of California. In all functions, we ethically and cost-effectively promote the community's interests in equity, justice and fairness.

Summary of Key Functions:

Municipal Advisory

The Municipal Advisory function of the Office provides advice to the City Council, the City’s Boards & Commissions, and City staff. The Office drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases and other legal documents, and it reviews documents prepared by City departments. The Office further oversees personnel investigations in collaboration with the Human Resources Department and review Public Records Act requests in collaboration with the City Clerk’s Office.

Litigation

The Litigation function of the Office defends the City in state and federal court either with in house resources or through the supervision of outside counsel. The Office’s caseload is diverse and includes personal injury cases, employment litigation, civil rights suits, contract disputes, as well as land use, constitutional and other specialized litigation.

Prosecution and Public Rights Unit

The Prosecution and Public Rights Unit function of the Office represents the People of the State of California in misdemeanor criminal matters. City prosecutors are dedicated to promoting and improving public safety and the quality of life in Alameda. The Office prosecutes a wide variety of cases, ranging from Penal Code violations, such as battery, theft, and vandalism, to local infractions. Many cases are referred by the Alameda Police Department, but cases may also come from other City departments and public agencies, including the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The Office is further charged with bringing affirmative litigation in response to violations of consumer protection and fair housing laws, and protecting consumers against fraud and unfair business practices.

Risk Management

The Risk Management function of the Office works with Departments to eliminate or mitigate potential risk and preserve public property, as well as manage the City’s Workers’ Compensation program.

The City Attorney’s Office does not provide legal advice to private citizens.

Note: Alameda City Government is open and transparent. Any written correspondence sent to the City may be deemed a public record which could be disclosed.

--Yibin Shen, City Attorney

--Elizabeth Mackenzie, Chief Assistant City Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the City Attorney and the District Attorney?

The City Attorney handles legal matters specific to the City of Alameda. The District Attorney’s office prosecutes all misdemeanor and felony matters arising under state law occurring within Alameda County. For inquiries regarding criminal cases involving the District Attorney’s office, please call (510) 272-6222 or visit its website as http://www.alcoda.org.

Where can I get advice on the City's Rent Program?

The City's Rent Stabilization Program is administered by the Alameda Housing Authority through a contract with the City. For questions about the Rent Stabilization Program call 510-747-4346 or visit their website at www.alamedarentprogram.org

Where can I report a possible Code Violation?

Code violations are handled by the Code Enforcement division of the Community Development Department. Their phone number is 510-747-6800

Where do I file a Small Claims Court action in Alameda County?

OAKLAND - Rene Davidson Courthouse, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612

HAYWARD - Hayward Hall of Justice, 24405 Amador Street, Hayward, CA 94544

http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-smallclaims.htm

Where can I access law books?

Alameda County Law Library, 125 - 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94612, (510) 208-4800

http://acgov.org/law/

Resources

Below is a list of entities and agencies that may be of assistance to you. The links listed on this page are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement of or an approval by the City of Alameda of any of the products, services or opinions of the organization or individual.

211: 2-1-1 is a free, non-emergency, confidential number and service that provides easy access to housing information, and critical health and human services. 211 operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with multi-lingual capabilities. http://www.211alamedacounty.org/

Alameda County Bar Association, Lawyer Referral Service & Volunteer Legal Service: (510) 302-2222 ext. 2 - https://www.acbanet.org/-- For a $35 fee, collected at intake, you will be given a consultation of up to 30 minutes with an attorney and contact information for two attorneys qualified to represent you.

Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership (ACILEP): (510-241-4011) ACILEP provides legal services, know your rights education and rapid response services when there is an immigration enforcement action in Alameda County.

Alameda Housing Authority: The Housing Authority is the City's Program Administrator for the Rent Review, Rent Stabilization and Limitations on Evictions Ordinance. 510-747-4346 - www.alamedarentprogram.org

Bay Area Legal Aid: (800) 551-5554 http://www.baylegal.org/offices/alameda/-- “BayLegal is committed to providing meaningful access to the civil justice system through quality legal assistance regardless of a client's location, language or disability.” Bay Area Legal Aid is free to those who qualify.

Centro Legal de la Raza: (510) 437-1554 https://centrolegal.org 3022 International Blvd, 4th Floor, Oakland, CA 94601 Email: info@centrolegal.org -- Free legal services for low-income tenants. Find more information including drop-in days and hours here.

Eviction Defense Center: (510) 452-4541 https://www.evictiondefensecenteroakland.org/ -- for tenants facing eviction or landlord-tenant issues.

Echo Housing: (888) 887-ECHO (3246) - http://www.echofairhousing.org/ -- ECHO’s Tenant/Landlord Counseling Program provides information to tenants and landlords. Additionally, ECHO has trained mediators to assist in resolving housing disputes. For information on Alameda County’s Mandatory Rent Mediation Notification and Rent Mediation Services email them at rentmediation@echofairhousing.com.

Family Violence Law Center (FVLC): (510) 208-0220 - http://fvlc.org/ -- Family Violence Law Center is a non-profit organization serving family violence victims and their children throughout Alameda County. If you or someone you know is being abused, please call their crisis line: (800) 947-8301. FVLCdoes not charge for their services, but they do accept donations.

Lawyers in the Library Program: (510) 747-7713 -- Alameda Free Library hosts volunteer attorneys on the first Wednesday of the month who provide free consultation and referrals on a wide variety of issues including landlord tenant disputes, probate matters, employment problems, and other general consumer issues.

Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS): (510) 832-3040 http://www.lashicap.org/ -- LAS provides free legal information, representation in court and administrative hearings, referrals to other community resources, and community education and training on legal issues. Additionally, LAS provides legal assistance to seniors 60 and older at the Mastick Senior Center on the third Monday of the month between 1 and 3 PM. For an appointment at Mastick call (510) 747-7506.

SEEDS: 510-548-2377 - Provides Services that Encourage Effective Dialogue and Solutions for businesses, schools, government agencies, and communities