🏛️ MVM CIVICS 101 — City Attorney

What Does the City Attorney Do?

Who does the City Attorney represent?

The City Attorney’s client is the City of Moreno Valley as a whole.

The office may give legal advice to:

• The City Council
• The City Manager
• City departments and employees
• City boards, commissions and committees

The advice must relate to official City business.

The City Attorney is not the personal attorney for the Mayor, a Councilmember or a City employee. The office also does not represent residents, businesses or community groups.

What does the City Attorney’s Office do?

The City Attorney’s Office:

• Advises City officials and staff about the law
• Drafts or reviews ordinances and resolutions
• Drafts or reviews City contracts
• Prepares written legal opinions
• Reviews other legal documents involving City business
• Represents the City in lawsuits or oversees attorneys hired to do so
• Handles legal claims filed against the City
• Hires and oversees outside attorneys when special legal help is needed
• Advises City boards, commissions and committees
• Prosecutes some violations of the Moreno Valley Municipal Code

The office helps the City do its work while following the law.

Does the City Attorney make City policy?

No.

The City Attorney may explain:

• What the law requires
• What legal risks may exist
• Whether the City has the authority to take an action
• What steps the City must follow
• How an ordinance, contract or policy should be written

The City Council makes policy decisions and votes on matters before it.

The City Attorney does not vote.

What happens when the City Attorney speaks during a Council meeting?

The City Attorney may answer legal questions, explain meeting rules or warn the Council about a legal concern.

For example, the City Attorney may explain:

• Whether the Council can legally take a proposed action
• Whether more public notice is required
• What vote is needed
• Whether a discussion should remain within the posted agenda
• Whether proposed wording creates a legal problem

That advice can affect how the Council proceeds. But the final policy decision still belongs to the Council when the law gives the Council authority to decide.

Can the City Council ignore the City Attorney’s advice?

The City Attorney advises the Council about the law and possible legal problems.

Councilmembers are still responsible for their own votes. But ignoring legal advice could lead to a lawsuit, added costs or a court ruling against the City.

Some legal questions have a clear answer. Others do not. The City Attorney may explain the possible choices and the risks that come with each one.

The City Attorney gives legal advice. The City Council makes the final policy decision when the law gives it that power.

Is the City Attorney the attorney for residents?

No.

The City Attorney cannot:

• Represent a resident in court
• Give personal legal advice
• Help one resident sue another person
• Handle a divorce, eviction or criminal defense
• Represent a private business or organization
• Advise someone about a personal dispute with the City

A resident who needs legal help must contact a private attorney, a legal-aid organization or an attorney-referral service.

This does not mean the City Attorney works against residents. It means the City Attorney represents the City—not individual people.

Can the City Attorney answer a resident’s question?

The office may provide general information about City procedures or direct a resident to the correct department.

But providing general information is not the same as giving personal legal advice.

If a resident’s question involves personal rights, a claim against the City or possible legal action, the City Attorney cannot serve as that resident’s lawyer.

Where does someone file a claim against the City?

A person seeking payment from the City for an injury, property damage or another loss may need to file a formal claim.

Claims are filed with the City Clerk’s Office. The City Attorney’s Office helps the City review and respond to them.

Because the City Attorney represents the City, the office cannot advise someone on how to make a claim against the City. A person who needs legal advice about a claim must contact their own attorney.

Does the City Attorney prosecute crimes?

Usually not.

Most crimes are prosecuted by the Riverside County District Attorney.

The Moreno Valley City Attorney may take legal action when someone violates a City law found in the Moreno Valley Municipal Code.

Police investigations are handled separately. The City Attorney does not investigate crimes as part of its legal-advice role.

What does the City Attorney do when the City is sued?

The City Attorney’s Office helps protect the City’s legal interests.

The office may:

• Review the claim or lawsuit
• Advise the Council and City staff
• Coordinate the City’s legal response
• Represent the City in court
• Hire outside attorneys who have special knowledge or experience
• Help the City consider whether to settle the case

Depending on the case, a settlement may need approval from the City Council or another City official who has the authority to approve it.

Why does the City use outside attorneys?

City government deals with many kinds of law, including:

• Employment
• Land use
• Contracts
• Public safety
• Environmental review
• Civil rights
• Personal-injury claims
• Construction
• Public finance

The City Attorney may hire outside attorneys when a case requires special knowledge, when the City Attorney cannot handle the matter because of a conflict, or when more legal help is needed.

These attorneys do not work for the City full-time. The City Attorney’s Office oversees the work they perform for the City.

Why is some legal advice confidential?

Some legal advice must remain private.

This allows City officials and their attorneys to discuss a lawsuit, legal risk or possible response without revealing the City’s legal plans to the other side.

State law allows the Council to discuss certain legal matters in a closed session, which is not open to the public.

But the City cannot make a matter private simply because the City Attorney is involved. State law limits what may be discussed in closed session.

Does the City Attorney decide what can be discussed in closed session?

The City Attorney advises the Council about whether a matter may legally be discussed in closed session.

Examples include certain lawsuits, claims and threats of legal action.

A difficult or embarrassing subject cannot be discussed privately just because officials would rather not discuss it in public.

Who appoints the City Attorney?

The City Council appoints and evaluates the City Attorney.

The Mayor participates as one member of the five-member Council but does not independently hire, supervise or remove the City Attorney.

The City Attorney is accountable to the City Council acting as a body.

Is the City Attorney a judge?

No.

The City Attorney gives legal advice and represents the City. The office does not decide lawsuits or issue court rulings.

Judges and courts make those decisions.

The City Attorney’s opinion may guide City action, but it is not the same as a court order.

Official sources

• Moreno Valley City Attorney’s Office
• Moreno Valley City Officials
• Moreno Valley Municipal Code
• California Courts Self-Help Guide

Last reviewed: September 1, 2026