Whereas the district attorney's office is, as is the case throughout the United States, charged with prosecuting crimes (i.e. has the equivalent function of a Prosecutor's Office in other countries), the city attorney provides legal services to the mayor, the Board of Supervisors, and the rest of the city and county administration; examines surety bonds, contracts and ordinances; and represents the city and county administration in civil claims, formally as a representative of the people of the State of California.

[3] The 1854 city attorney election had been marred by allegations of ballot stuffing,[4] and in 1857 Frederick Palmer Tracy [wikidata] was appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

[5][6] An 1862 act of the California State Legislature made the position of city attorney subject to popular election every two years.

[7] The first woman to hold the position was Louise Renne in 1986, appointed by then-mayor Dianne Feinstein following the death of previous city attorney George Agnost.

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