On the Issues
Public Safety and Neighborhood Protection
Safe neighborhoods are the foundation of a thriving city. For more than two decades as a prosecutor, I have worked to protect victims and hold offenders accountable. As City Attorney, I will bring that same commitment to enforcing the laws that keep our communities safe.
That means focusing on repeat offenders who drive quality-of-life crime, addressing retail theft and organized shoplifting, prosecuting illegal firearms possession, and working closely with law enforcement to address dangerous activity like street racing and open-air drug markets.
Public safety is not an abstract concept. It is whether families feel safe walking their streets, whether small businesses can stay open, and whether our parks and public spaces remain welcoming for everyone.
Reducing Lawsuits and Protecting Taxpayer Dollars
Over the past several years, Los Angeles has seen a dramatic rise in lawsuits, settlements, and verdicts against the city, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
The City Attorney’s Office should not simply react to lawsuits after they are filed. It should work proactively with city departments to identify legal risks before they turn into costly litigation.
As City Attorney, I will emphasize prevention, improving legal oversight within city departments, strengthening training for city employees, and identifying patterns that lead to liability. Protecting taxpayer dollars starts with better legal management and accountability.
Fiscal Responsibility and Modernizing the City Attorney’s Office
The City Attorney’s Office must be a responsible steward of public funds. That means running an efficient office that delivers excellent legal representation while minimizing unnecessary costs.
I will review outside counsel spending, modernize case management systems, and ensure that city attorneys are deployed strategically to handle the city’s most important legal matters.
Every dollar spent unnecessarily on legal costs is a dollar that cannot be invested in parks, infrastructure, libraries, or public safety. Fiscal responsibility and operational excellence must be core priorities of the City Attorney’s Office.
Compassionate Accountability on Homelessness
Homelessness is one of the most difficult challenges facing Los Angeles. The solution requires compassion, services, and accountability.
The City Attorney’s Office must help ensure that our laws are applied in ways that protect public safety while respecting the dignity of individuals experiencing homelessness.
We must keep sidewalks passable, protect parks and schools, and address dangerous encampments that threaten community safety. At the same time, we must work closely with service providers and diversion programs to help people access housing, treatment, and support.
This is not about punishment. It is about restoring order to our public spaces while helping people move toward stability.
Fighting Corruption and Protecting the Public Trust
Government works only when the public trusts it.
The City Attorney plays an important role in ensuring that city officials and departments operate with transparency, integrity, and accountability. That includes defending ethical governance, promoting transparency in city contracting, and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.
My career as a prosecutor has been built on enforcing the law fairly and without fear or favor. As City Attorney, I will bring that same commitment to protecting the integrity of city government.
Protecting Workers and Combating Exploitation
Los Angeles must be a city where people who work hard are treated fairly and with dignity. The City Attorney’s Office plays an important role in protecting workers from exploitation.
I will prioritize enforcement against wage theft and other illegal labor practices that deprive workers of the pay they have earned. Employers who follow the law should not be undercut by those who exploit workers.
The office must also work closely with law enforcement and community organizations to combat human trafficking, including both sex trafficking and labor trafficking. These crimes exploit some of the most vulnerable members of our communities and require strong enforcement combined with victim-centered support.
Protecting workers and victims of exploitation strengthens our economy and reinforces the values of fairness and opportunity.
Protecting the Environment and Public Health
Los Angeles is home to extraordinary natural resources, from our coastline to our neighborhoods and parks. Protecting our environment is essential to preserving the quality of life for current residents and future generations.
The City Attorney’s Office has an important role in enforcing environmental laws, addressing illegal dumping, protecting air and water quality, and holding bad actors accountable when they violate environmental regulations.
Environmental protection is also about protecting public health, particularly in communities that have historically borne the greatest environmental burdens.
Protecting Renters While Respecting Property Rights
Housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing Los Angeles. The City Attorney’s Office plays an important role in ensuring that housing laws are enforced fairly and responsibly.
Renters deserve protection from unlawful evictions, harassment, and unsafe housing conditions. At the same time, property owners who follow the law have legitimate rights that must also be respected.
As City Attorney, I will ensure that housing laws are enforced fairly and consistently, protecting tenants from abuse while recognizing the important role responsible property owners play in providing and maintaining housing across our city.
A balanced approach helps promote stable housing while maintaining respect for the rule of law.
Connecting the City Attorney’s Office to the Community
The City Attorney’s Office should not operate behind closed doors at City Hall. It should be connected to the neighborhoods and communities it serves.
Across Los Angeles, residents and small businesses often feel that City Hall is distant from the problems they face every day. The City Attorney’s Office can help bridge that gap by listening to community concerns, working closely with neighborhood leaders, and responding to quality-of-life issues that affect daily life.
As City Attorney, I will prioritize stronger relationships between the office and the communities we serve by engaging with neighborhood councils, business organizations, and community groups throughout Los Angeles.
Good government begins with listening and accountability. The City Attorney’s Office should be a visible and engaged partner in the life of our city.