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
A federal appeals court has ruled against publicly releasing the video record of a 2010 U.S. District Court trial challenging the validity of Proposition 8, the narrowly passed state constitutional amendment that eliminated marriage rights for same-sex couples in California. The decision is only one aspect in the broader legal battle currently before a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel. No ruling has yet been issued on the merits of the appeal of former Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker's Aug. 4, 2010 holding that Prop 8 was unconstitutional.
In response, City Attorney Dennis Herrera issued the following statement:
"A free society deserves maximum transparency in the conduct of the public's business to the full extent our technology allows, and that's why I'm disappointed with today's decision. The issue of marriage equality continues to be one of national importance, as we're seeing now in the State of Washington. Public trial records -- including video records -- should serve to inform our national debates, not be withheld from them."
MAJOR CASE
City Attorney Herrera and La Raza are seeking to recover $3 million in wage theft case against Tower Car Wash, which foced workers to endure hours of unpaid waiting during scheduled shifts -- losing wages and overtime pay
LEGAL MEMO
Redistricting and its effect on term limits
With the redistricting process underway, a new City Attorney memorandum addresses questions raised about the potential impact of redistricting on current members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
CORRESPONDENCE
Confused about San Francisco's process for preparing ballot materials? If you've been reading
some accounts, we don't blame you. Learn more here. (Tip: And bookmark this for next year!)
GANGS
The City Attorney's Office worked with the ACLU and Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights to establish a free administrative process by which individuals named in civil gang injunctions may petition to "opt out."
INTERNSHIP
Students currently enrolled in accredited law schools are eligible to participate in the City Attorney's intern program. Learn more here.