About Us

The Seattle City Attorney's Office (CAO) is also known as the Law Department under Article XIII of the City Charter. With a staff of approximately 200, including approximately 135 attorneys, the CAO is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third largest public law office in the state.

The Law Department is comprised
of three major divisions.

The Criminal Division prosecutes misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and traffic infractions in Seattle Municipal Court. The types of cases prosecuted by the Criminal Division include driving under the influence (DUI), misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor domestic violence, misdemeanor theft, and trespassing.

The Civil Division represents the City in lawsuits and advises City officials as they develop programs, projects, policies, and legislation. The sections within the Civil Division are torts (claims), governmental affairs, land use, environmental protection, labor and employment, contracts/utilities, regulatory enforcement, and economic justice.

The Administration Division staff provide budgeting, accounting, human resource, clerical, and information technology services for the City Attorney's Office.


For representative examples of CAO work, please see the Reports page.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Seattle City Attorney's Office.

Contact Us

Seattle City Attorney's Office reception - (206) 684-8200.

Media inquiries to the Seattle City Attorney's Office - Tim Robinson, Communications Manager, tim.robinson2@seattle.gov.

City Attorney

Ann Davison, City Attorney
Address: 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2050 , Seattle , WA , 98104-7095
Mailing Address: 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2050 , Seattle , WA , 98104-7095
Phone: (206) 684-8200
Contact City Attorney

Newsletter Updates

Subscribe

Sign up for the latest updates from City Attorney

The City Attorney heads the Law Department and is responsible for supervising all City litigation. In addition, the City Attorney supervises a staff of Assistant City Attorneys who provide legal advice and assistance to the City's management and prosecute violations of City ordinances.