Advisory Division

The Advisory Division provides legal advice and counsel to the City of Oakland in areas of municipal law including: land use, real estate, personnel, elections, conflict of interest, municipal finance, municipal bonds, retirement and housing and economic development.

Services include drafting and reviewing contracts, legislation and other documents, providing litigation services in personnel and retirement arbitrations, in the defense of the validity of ordinances, other administrative actions, code enforcement and drug nuisance abatement and in specialized areas including probate, bankruptcy and stop notices.

The Division provides counsel to and attends meetings of the Council committees, retirement boards, Business Tax Board of Review, Civil Service Board, Planning Commission, Citizens Police Review Board, Oakland Housing Authority, task forces, and City agencies and departments.

The Division provides representation to Council created Joint Powers Authorities Such as Chabot Science Center and Observatory and OBRA. The Division also handles elections, conflict of interest and open meeting and public records issues.