The City Attorney is appointed by the City Council and acts as legal advisor and counsel for legal issues involving City matters.

The City Attorney represents the City Council, City Manager, City administrative staff and others as required to represent the City in litigation and to direct the City’s legal service.

The City Attorney’s office provides expert legal advice and advocacy to and on behalf of the City Council, the Public Financing Authority, their committees and commissions, as well as to the City Manager and all city departments, so that policies are established and programs administered within the guidelines established by city, state, and federal laws.

Attorneys in the City Attorney's Department represent only the City of Merced and affiliated entities. They do not represent private parties or become involved in private disputes or transactions. The City Attorney's Department does not make referrals to other attorneys for private legal matters. The City Attorney's Department does not accept service of process by email or fax.

To contact the City Attorney's Department, please call (209) 385-6868.