Office of the
FAQs
- Can the City Attorney represent private citizens?
No. The City Attorney does not represent individuals in private legal matters. Attorneys in the office only represent the City, its officials, departments, boards, commissions, other agencies and its employees in the course of their official business.
- Should I report possible crimes or code violations to the City Attorney’s Office?
No. To report a crime, call the Milwaukee Police Department non-emergency number 414-933-4444. If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1. Click here to file a police report
Reports of possible building, housing or zoning code violations should be made to the City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services. Click here to report a violation.
Phone Number 414-286-2268.
- I believe I have been damaged by the actions or negligence of the City or one of its employees and I have a claim for money damages. How do I do that?
Information abouth how to file a claim against the city.
(En español)
- How do I file a restraining order?
Restraining orders, including Domestic abuse, are civil court orders that are processed in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court (901 N 9th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233). Information on how to file domestic abuse, including restraining orders, can be found, here!.
- Who do I talk to about delinquent property taxes?
Inquiries about delinquent property taxes can be made by contacting the Office of the City Treasure at http://www.milwaukee.gov/treasurer. All questions on delinquent tax accounts with an enforcement status of 5K or 6K need to be directed to the Kohn Law Firm, the City of Milwaukee's authorized collection agent, at 414-276-0435. In all other cases, you may call the Customer Services Division at 414-276-2240.
- Where do I find more information about parking tickets and other citations?
Click here to find more information about parking citations and other citations.
- How can I find a lawyer?
The City Attorney's office does not provide legal services to the general public. The following are links to organizations and agencies that provide various types of legal information and advice:
Providing these links does not constitute recommendations or preferences to any organization providing legal services
- What is the difference between the City Attorney and the District Attorney?
The City Attorney is the attorney for the City of Milwaukee. The City Attorney is elected to serve a four-year term, representing the City, its officials, departments, boards, commissions, the School Board, and other agencies. The City Attorney’s office also prosecutes violations of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, but not any violations of State law. The City Attorney's office acts as a full service law firm for the City, earning respect in the legal community as a professional, high quality law office.
The District Attorney is an elected official who investigates and prosecutes criminal activity (other than violations of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances) throughout Milwaukee County.To find out more about the District Attorney's office, click here
Mission Statement
To protect the legal interests of the City of Milwaukee and provide quality, timely, and impartial legal services consistent with the highest professional and ethical standards while successfully meeting clients’ needs in accordance with the City Charter and statutory requirements.
Objectives:
Protect the City's interests in litigation.
Provide legal opinions on matters of significance to municipal corporations.
Manage risk so that liabilities do not disrupt finances.
Provide day to day legal advice to City officials and departments.
Reduce nuisances that detract from neighborhood quality of life.
Prosecute municipal ordinance violations.
Strategies:
Maintain active partnerships with City departments so that legal strategies are consistent with operational needs and coordinated among the different departments.
Maintain exceptional standards of integrity and legal expertise through continuing education, competitive recruitment, and professional opportunities.
Continue to implement neighborhood revitalization legal services including housing crisis response, nuisance abatement, community prosecution, and strategic code enforcement.
Other Community Goals and City Attorney's Office Objectives:
Improve the City's fiscal capacity by protecting the City's interests in litigation and managing risk so that liabilities do not disrupt finances.
Support the City's interests and policy initiatives.
Develop and sustain legal strategies to promote respect for individual civil liberties and the rule of law.
Sustain safe and healthy neighborhoods by reducing nuisances that detract from quality of life and prosecuting municipal ordinance violations.
The City Attorney's Office supports the City's goals of building safe and healthy neighborhoods and improving fiscal capacity. It supports these goals by effectively prosecuting ordinance violations, providing legal services related to housing and neighborhood issues, assisting with economic development and affordable housing efforts, abating nuisances through community prosecution and related efforts, and managing financial liabilities resulting from claims and lawsuits.