Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Counsel in San Francisco
The City Attorney's Office's Office has long been recognized as a leader in advancing civil rights, protecting consumers, and ensuring social justice. Our award-winning team of dedicated legal professionals works tirelessly to uphold the highest standards of excellence in public service. With a legacy of innovation and advocacy, we provide comprehensive legal representation for the City and County of San Francisco while championing progressive policies that benefit our diverse community.Our commitment to transparency, ethical conduct, and community engagement has earned us national recognition from the American Bar Association and American Lawyer magazine. Through strategic litigation, proactive policy development, and robust consumer protection efforts, we strive to create a fairer, more equitable society for all residents of San Francisco.
Services
Consumer Protection
Housing Enforcement
Complex Litigation
Public Policy Development
Ethics Compliance
Highlights and features
- Award-winning legal team with national recognition
- Comprehensive expertise across 20 specialized legal teams
- Proven track record in consumer protection litigation
- Pioneering innovative approaches to public interest law
- Deep commitment to social justice and community welfare
Associations and certifications
- American Bar Association
- American Lawyer magazine
What people say
Award-winning team
Strong consumer protection
Ethical conduct
Community-focused
Services
Consumer Protection
Our Consumer Protection team actively pursues cases against businesses engaged in deceptive practices, false advertising, and unlawful financial activities. We enforce California's Unfair Competition Law to protect residents from predatory lending, housing discrimination, and fraudulent business operations. Through aggressive litigation and proactive enforcement, we ensure marketplace fairness while educating consumers about their rights and available remedies.
Housing Enforcement
The Housing Enforcement division combats substandard living conditions, illegal conversions, and housing code violations through civil litigation and code enforcement actions. We target landlords neglecting properties, developers violating affordable housing requirements, and operators of illegal short-term rentals. Our efforts preserve neighborhood integrity while protecting tenants' rights to safe, legal housing.
Complex Litigation
Our Complex Litigation team handles high-stakes cases involving constitutional issues, public policy reforms, and multi-party disputes. We defend city laws against legal challenges while pursuing affirmative litigation to address systemic issues like gender-based pricing discrimination and environmental justice. With expertise in both state and federal courts, we manage cases with significant public impact.
Public Policy Development
We provide expert legal counsel to elected officials and city departments on policy formulation, legislative drafting, and regulatory compliance. Our policy team works across government to develop innovative solutions for pressing urban challenges while ensuring all initiatives meet legal standards and withstand judicial scrutiny.
Ethics Compliance
The Ethics Compliance division advises on campaign finance laws, conflict of interest regulations, and governmental transparency requirements. We ensure city officials and employees maintain the highest ethical standards while providing public education about accountability mechanisms and democratic processes.
People
David Chiu
City Attorney
David Chiu leads San Francisco's legal office with a focus on civil rights and social justice. He has prioritized consumer protection, housing equity, and environmental advocacy. His leadership has earned national recognition for innovative public interest litigation.
Tony LoPresti
County Counsel
Tony LoPresti serves as Santa Clara County Counsel, working collaboratively with city attorneys on regional legal challenges. He brings extensive experience in public finance and government contracts to his role in protecting taxpayer interests.
Questions
How do I file a claim against the City of San Francisco?
Complete the Claim Form available on our website and submit it to the Controller's Office Claims Division within the required timeframe for your claim type.
What consumer protection services do you offer?
We investigate and prosecute businesses violating consumer protection laws, including deceptive advertising, predatory lending, and housing discrimination through California's Unfair Competition Law.
How can I report housing code violations?
Submit a complaint through our website or contact our Code Enforcement team to report unsafe living conditions, illegal conversions, or landlord violations.
What are your office's litigation priorities?
We focus on civil rights, environmental justice, consumer protection, and defending progressive policies through strategic litigation in state and federal courts.
How does your office handle ethics compliance?
We provide legal guidance on campaign finance laws, conflict of interest regulations, and government transparency requirements for city officials and employees.
What internship opportunities exist at your office?
Our competitive Law School Internship Program offers hands-on experience in public interest law with mentorship from experienced attorneys across various practice areas.
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