Welcome to the Office of the City Attorney for the City of Palo Alto.

The City Attorney serves as chief legal counsel to Palo Alto’s city government, including the City Council, City Manager and operating departments, and all appointed boards and commissions. The City Attorney’s Office focuses on the legal risks and options associated with City actions, and investigates and administers all liability claims against the City. The City Attorney also has the authority to enforce the Palo Alto Municipal Code and to defend and resolve litigation against the City.

Gary M. Baum was appointed City Attorney in July of 2004. A graduate of the University of Southern California Law School, where he received the Witkin Award for Remedies, Mr. Baum has worked in the municipal law field for over 25 years. He served previously as City Attorney of Morgan Hill and Assistant City Attorney for the City of Santa Clara, and has lectured and written on land use, environmental prosecution, managing outside counsel, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Person’s Act and municipal litigation.

The City Attorney reports directly to the City Council, and appoints Deputies and Assistant City Attorneys. Grant Kolling and Cara Silver are the Senior Assistant City Attorneys. Donald Larkin is Assistant City Attorney. Melissa Tronquet is Senior Deputy City Attorney and Amy Bartell is a Deputy City Attorney. Stacy Lavelle is the Legal Administrator. Janet Billups, Shirley Nakasora and Sharon Hanks serve as Legal Secretaries.