City Attorneys

The Cal Cities' Legal Department staff, including the general counsel, the assistant general counsel, the deputy general counsel, and the legal services manager, assists the officers in implementing the department’s goals:  

• Advance the purposes and goals of Cal Cities;
• Support and encourage high-quality legal advice to and representation of California cities by producing conferences, continuing education programs, and other works of interest in the field of municipal law;
• Foster the professional development and enrichment of Department members by providing the opportunity to exchange ideas, consult with one another and meet with persons in or associated with municipal law;
• Encourage the continued advancement of city attorneys by supporting professional accomplishment and adherence to high ethical standards;
• Serve as a technical and advisory department to Cal Cities, including analysis of pending legislation and litigation; and
  
• Advance the interest of cities by helping to improve, shape and develop municipal law through Cal Cities' Legal Advocacy Program and legislative advocacy efforts.

Appointed by the department president, the City Attorneys Department has at least one representative on each of Cal Cities' policy committees. Representatives provide technical information to the committee, ensure that the department has a voice in the decision-making process, and help make recommendations to the board of directors on legislative and policy issues. 

• Community Services - Benjamin Jones (Assistant City Attorney, Carson) 
• Environmental Quality - Nicholas Ghirelli (Assistant City Attorney, Agoura Hills) 
• Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations - Walter Chung (Assistant City Attorney, Vista)
• Housing, Community, and Economic Development - D. Dennis La (Deputy City Attorney, Carson, Southgate) 
• Public Safety - Brigid Martin (Deputy City Attorney, Oakland) 
• Revenue and Taxation - Kendall DeMatteo Levan (Senior Principal Attorney, Kane, Ballmer & Berkman)  
• Transportation, Communication, and Public Works - Brian Wright-Bushman (Assistant City Attorney, Chino)

• Ad Hoc Practicing Ethics Committee
• Attorney Development and Succession Committee
  
• Brown Act Committee
  
• California Public Records Act Committee
  
• Cannabis Regulation Committee
• Emergency Response Committee
  
• FPPC Committee
  
• Legal Advocacy Committee
  
• Municipal Finance Committee
  
• Municipal Law Handbook Committee
  
• Municipal Law Institute Committee
  
• Nominating Committee