Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code Ch. 2.06 City Attorney

(a) The Office of the City Attorney is established. It shall consist of the City Attorney and such assistants and deputies as assigned, or as may be otherwise authorized by the City Council. The City Attorney shall administer the office and be responsible for the successful performance of its functions. The City Attorney shall serve under the direct supervision and control of the City Council as its legal advisor. The City Attorney may be an employee of the City or provide services under contract to the City.

(b) The City Council may retain or employ special counsel as may be needed to take charge of any litigation or legal matters or to assist the City Attorney therein.

(c) This Chapter shall be applicable to an attorney who provides legal services to the City under contract insofar as the provisions of this Chapter are consistent with the written contract between the attorney and the City.

(Ord. No. 11-09, § 1, 1-11-2012)

The City Attorney shall receive such compensation and expense allowance as the City Council shall from time to time determine, and such compensation shall be a proper charge against such funds of the City as the City Council shall designate.

(Ord. No. 11-09, § 1, 1-11-2012)

The functions of the Office of the City Attorney shall be to:

(1) Advise the City Council and City officers in all matters of law pertaining to their offices; to cooperate with and assist the City Manager in administering the affairs of the City most efficiently, economically, and effectively so far as may be consistent with duties prescribed by law and the ordinances of the City;

(2) Furnish legal services at all meetings of the City Council, except when excused or disabled, and give advice or opinion on the legality of all matters under consideration by the City Council or by any of the boards, commissions, committees, or officers of the City;

(3) Prepare and/or approve as to form all ordinances, resolutions, agreements, contracts, and other legal instruments as shall be required for the proper conduct of the business of the City and approve the form of all contracts, agreements, and bonds given to the City; and

(4) Perform such other legal duties as may be required by the City Council or as may be necessary to complete the performance of the foregoing functions.

(Ord. No. 11-09, § 1, 1-11-2012)