San Diego City Attorney

City Attorney of San Diego
Incumbent
Mara Elliott
since December 12, 2016
Term lengthFour years, renewable once
Inaugural holderThomas W. Sutherland
Formation1850
Salary$193,648 annually
WebsiteOffice of the City Attorney

The San Diego City Attorney is an elected official who serves as the chief legal adviser to the City of San Diego. The city attorney is responsible for representing the city government in legal matters and for prosecuting misdemeanor and infractions that occur within city limits. Elected every four years, officeholders may serve up to two terms.[1]

The current city attorney is Mara Elliott, who has held the office since 2016.[2] She is the first woman and the first Latina to hold the office.[3]

The most recent election was held in November 2024 in which Chief Deputy City Attorney Heather Ferbert defeated California state assemblymember Brian Maienschein.[4] Ferbert will take office in December 2024.

  1. ^ "How To Run For Office Details | City of San Diego Official Website". www.sandiego.gov.
  2. ^ "Office of the City Attorney | City of San Diego Official Website". www.sandiego.gov.
  3. ^ "Mara Elliott and Women Trailblazers in San Diego". San Diego County Democratic Party. 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2017-11-08.
  4. ^ "Ferbert secures victory over Maienschein in San Diego City Attorney race". ABC 10 News San Diego. 2024-11-08. Retrieved 2024-11-08.