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The League engages in advocacy on behalf of cities before the courts, because laws affecting cities are made in the courts as well as in the Legislature. The League receives counsel on such activities from the Legal Advocacy Committee, composed of city attorneys from throughout the state.
The Legal Advocacy Committee meets approximately four times annually. View meeting dates.
The Legal Advocacy Report is provided to keep Department members informed of the Committee's activities relating to friend-of-the-court participation.
The League weighs in on legal issues when the its participation is likely to affirmatively advance cities' collective legal interests by establishing legal precedent that will help cities more effectively serve their communities. Generally, for the League to become involved in the resolution of a legal issue, cities should agree on what the preferred outcome of the dispute should be and no city should be adversely affected by the League's legal advocacy efforts. In rare cases, the League will get involved in litigation or Attorney General opinions where cities do not have a common interest in the same outcome; the League will become involved in such issues only after full League Board consideration and approval.
Whenever possible, and to maximize the effective use of limited resources, the League will collaborate with other local agency associations and organizations to achieve mutually desired legal outcomes.
For additional information about the League's Legal Advocacy Program, please contact Koreen Kelleher, deputy general counsel, or Janet Reynolds, legal assistant.
Legal Advocacy Committee
Amicus Support