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About the Office of the City Attorney

The City Attorney's Office operates as a full service municipal law firm on behalf of the City of Milwaukee, handling litigation and maintaining a docket of cases to which the City may be a party, providing legal advice and opinions, and examining legislation for the Common Council. In addition, the City Attorney drafts legal documents required for conducting the business of the City, collects claims and delinquencies, and prosecutes City ordinance violations.

MISSION & VISION

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.”

 

The City Attorney's Office functions as the City's full-service law firm. It advises City departments and elected officials on the legality of their actions, defends the City in civil litigation, prosecutes ordinance violations, enforces City law against public nuisances, and manages the City's legal exposure across a broad range of matters.

The Office of the City Attorney is one of the oldest continuously operating institutions in City government. The office is established by the Milwaukee City Charter and operates pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes and the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances. The City Attorney is an elected position, one of only four city-wide elected officials in Milwaukee. The City Attorney is not appointed by the Mayor, the Common Council, or any other official but is a position independently accountable to the public.

City Attorney's Office at a glance

 

1846

Year Established

40

Attorneys on Staff

4

Practice Sections

180

Years of Public Service

 

WHO WE REPRESENT

The Office represents the City of Milwaukee

This is the most common source of confusion about the City Attorney's Office. The office provides legal services to City government but does not represent residents or private parties with disputes against the City.

THE OFFICE REPRESENTS:

  • The City of Milwaukee as a legal entity
  • City departments and divisions
  • The Common Council
  • City Boards and commissions
  • Milwaukee Board of School Director
  • Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
  • Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee
  • City officials acting in official capacity

THE OFFICE DOES NOT REPRESENT:

  • Private individuals or residents
  • City employees in personal legal matters
  • Businesses or organizations
  • Parties in disputes with the City
  • Tenants, landlords, or property owners
  • People seeking general legal advice
  • Criminal defendants
  • Parties in family or civil court matters

LEADERSHIP

Practice Sections

The Office of the City Attorney operates across four legal divisions, each led by an appointed Deputy City Attorney. Each division handles a defined area of City legal work. 

Man in a suit with a yellow tie, smiling and sitting on a desk in an office, next to books and a sign reading "City Attorney's Office" with a city skyline. A smiling man with a white beard and bald head is wearing a navy suit and black tie. He stands in a warmly lit, elegant interior hallway.

Mary Schanning, Deputy City Attorney

Robin Pederson, Deputy City Attorney
Real Estate, Contracts & Education Employment, Administrative & Health
The Real Estate, Contracts & Education practice section represents the Department of City Development (DCD), Redevelopment Authority (RACM), General Contracting & Procurement, Port Milwaukee, Library, Zoning, Board of Election Commissioners, Department of Public Works (DPW), Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO), Fire & Police Commission (FPC), Inter-Governmental Relations (IRD), Milwaukee Public Schools and School Board (MPS). The Employment, Administrative & Health practice section represents the Department of Employee Relations, Employes’ Retirement System (ERS), Deferred Compensation Plan, Employment Discrimination, Labor Arbitration, Workers’ Compensation, Department of Administration, Public Utilities, Water Works, Board of Review, Licensing, Health Department.
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A woman with brown shoulder-length hair and glasses smiles confidently, wearing a black suit and light blue blouse standing against a white brick wall in a bright room. A woman smiling with curly hair in a blue top stands before vibrant yellow autumn leaves. The tone is warm and cheerful.

Julie Wilson, Deputy City Attorney

Naomi Sanders, Deputy City Attorney
Neighborhood Revitalization, Ordinance Enforcement & Housing Litigation
Neighborhood Revitalization, Ordinance Enforcement & Housing practice section represents the Ordinance Enforcement Division (OED), Department of Neighborhood Service (DNS), Police Department (MPD), Housing Authority (HACM), Neighborhood Revitalization (Building & Zoning Code Enforcement, Nuisance Abatement, Community Prosecution), Public Records, Open Meetings, Ethics, Public Debt Commission. The Litigation practice section handles Civil Rights, Personal Injury, and Property Damage Litigation, Appeals, Claims Supervision, Assessor, City Treasurer, Tax Assessment Litigation, Bankruptcy.
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SPECIAL FUNDS

Funds administered by the Office of the City Attorney

In addition to its legal functions, the City Attorney's Office administers four special purpose accounts established under the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances. Each fund has a defined purpose and is subject to City oversight and audit.

 

Damages & Claims Fund

Outside Counsel/Expert Witness Fund

Pays for general liability judments against the City

Pays for outside counsel as well as special experts in litigation in which the City is involved

 

 

Insurance Fund

Collection Contract and Receivership Fund

Pays city premiums for insurance policies such as property insurance, auto liability, and public officials bonds

Pays the commissions and fees of outside contractors to collect city receivables and municipal court judgments

Important note for members of the public

If you have general questions or are in need of legal services, there are resources that can assist you. See our External Resources Guide for organizations that serve Milwaukee residents.