Welcome!
San Francisco has long been at the forefront of legal efforts to protect consumers, defend the integrity of our public institutions and advance civil rights for every American. I'm proud to continue that tradition as City Attorney, and my office remains committed to providing our City with the highest caliber legal representation. It is my pleasure to offer this Web site as a means to make my office more open and accessible to the people it serves. Thanks for visiting.
Sincerely,
DENNIS J. HERRERA
City Attorney of San Francisco
City Attorney Herrera is continuing the City's legal defense of the San Francisco Bicycle Plan -- a citywide policy intended to make bicycling a safer, more viable means of transportation -- from a lawsuit brought in 2005 by local blogger and perennial political candidate Rob Anderson, together with an organizational alter-ego called the "Coalition for Adequate Review" (or CAR, not coincidentally) which purports to represent those opposed to bike-friendly policies. For more than three years, the City has been under an injunction generally prohibiting implementation of the plan until after environmental review in accordance with CEQA. With that review process now complete, the City is seeking to lift the injunction.
The first of two filings ordered by S.F. Superior Court Judge Peter J. Busch at a hearing on Nov. 2 was filed on Nov. 6: a declaration detailing specific bicycle safety improvements that the City plans to undertake over the next several months. Legal briefs have also been requested from both sides in the case to address the authority of the Court to order reversal of any bicycle improvements made after the injunction is lifted, in the event that the City's Environmental Impact Report, or EIR, were later found to be deficient.
MAJOR CASE
Kellogg has agreed to end a controversial marketing practice, criticized by the City Attorney, claiming that its Cocoa Krispies ceareal "now helps support your child's immunity."
MAJOR CASE
The City Attorney continues to defend key aspects of San Francisco's groundbreaking universal health care program, "Healthy San Francisco," from a possible high court challenge
MAJOR CASE
The City Attorney has reached an agreement with Mirant to permanently shutter the company’s Potrero power plant by the end of 2010, and to pay $1 million toward pediatric asthma and other mitigations.
MAJOR CASE
With his legal challenge on hold pending the outcome of legislative efforts, the City Attorney is working to end the practice of "gender rating" -- which can cost women up to 39% more for health coverage.
KEY INITIATIVE
Working with the ACLU, the City Attorney set up an administrative process to enable former gang members under injunctions to "opt out." It's accessible, it's fair and it recognizes people can and do change for the better.
