City Attorney - City of Alameda California

Can the City Attorney advise citizens in legal matters?
No. The City Attorney cannot provide legal advice to private citizens. However, the following organizations in Alameda County may be helpful to citizens in seeking legal representation and/or answers to general legal questions:
- Law Center for Families
  510 16th Street, Suite 300
  Oakland, CA 94612
  (510) 451-9261
- Alameda County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
  (510) 302-2222
  70 Washington Street, Ste 200
  Oakland, CA 94607
  http://www.acbanet.org
- Free Legal Counsel Night at the Library
  (Main Library - first Wednesday of every month)
  1550 Oak Street
  Alameda, CA 94501
  (510) 747-7713
Where do I file a Small Claims Court action?
Superior Court of the County of Alameda
2233 Shoreline Drive
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 263-4305
How can I receive a copy of a particular Alameda Municipal Code section?
A copy of a particular section may be obtained from:
City Clerk's Office
City Hall
2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Room 380
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 747-4800
A set of the Alameda Municipal Code Books are located in the Alameda Main Library as well as its branches for citizens' use.
The Municipal Code is also available online at Municipal Code
If further clarification of a code is required, call the City Attorney's Office at (510) 747-4750.
For zoning and planning issues, call the Planning Department at (510) 747-6800 or 747-6850.
Where can I borrow law books?
Alameda County Law Library
125 - 12th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 208-4800
How do I file a claim against the City of Alameda? Claim forms are available from the City Attorney's Office. The claim must be filed with the City Clerk's Office within 6 months from the date of the incident. The City Clerk will then forward it to the City Attorney's Office. All claims are administered by the Risk Manager.

Did you know...
The City Attorney is the primary legal counsel for the City Council, Boards and Commissions, City Manager, City departments, officers and employees, and the entities of the Alameda Power and Telecom, the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Agency and the Housing Authority.

The City Attorney provides legal representation and advises City officials on all legal matters involving the City, including land use, personnel, contracts, real property transactions, elections and redevelopment. The City Attorney represents the City in State and Federal court and oversees outside counsel handling other litigation.

The City Attorney's Office also oversees the risk management function of the City.