City Attorney, Rob Epstein
Deputy City Attorney II, Eric T. Davis
Deputy City Attorney II, Lisa A. Goldfien
Legal Assistant II, Marilyn H. Pecunia
1400 Fifth Avenue, Room 202
San Rafael, CA 94901-1943
Phone: (415) 485-3080
Facsimile: (415) 485-3109
Mission Statement
As a support department, the primary role of the City Attorney’s office is to provide legal assistance, advice, and defense to all branches of San Rafael City Government, including the attendance and representation of staff at all City Council meetings.
Client Relationship
The City Attorney’s client and the nature of the City Attorney’s work is not well understood by the community-at-large. Many citizens believe that the City Attorney serves as the attorney for the community rather than for a Municipal corporation. The City Attorney is the attorney for the City of San Rafael, as an entity. Because of the nature of the City Attorney’s role, we cannot represent or provide legal advice to individual citizens, groups or other entities. We are therefore unable to respond to individual requests for legal advice or representation.
Office and Staff Functions
The office is comprised of the elected part-time City Attorney, an Assistant City Attorney, a Deputy City Attorney, and a Legal Assistant.
City Attorney, Rob Epstein, is a San Rafael native and graduate of San Rafael High School ('80), UC Berkeley ('85), and UC Hastings College of Law ('91). He was elected to office in November 2007. The City Attorney advises and assists City staff and officials on major litigation and on general municipal law matters including open meeting laws, conflicts of interest, finance, and intergovernmental relations. He handles personnel matters (including administrative hearings and labor relations) and administers the risk management program, including supervision of claims and tort litigation. The City Attorney attends all City Council meetings and is the primary legal advisor to the City Manager and City Council.
Deputy City Attorney II, Eric T. Davis, obtained his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, and obtained his law degree from Northwestern University. He handles code enforcement matters, prosecuting violators of the City’s Municipal Code in administrative and judicial proceedings; provides research and opinions to City staff on general municipal law issues; reviews and drafts resolutions, ordinances, insurance requirements and agreements; responds to subpoenas and public records requests; appears in Court on Police Department weapons confiscation petitions and other matters; and provides primary legal support for staff of the City’s Public Works, Human Resources, Community Development (Building), Finance, Fire, Community Services, City Clerk and Information Technology departments.
Deputy City Attorney II, Lisa A. Goldfien, received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and her law degree from UC Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall). She provides research and opinions to City staff on general municipal law issues; handles administrative mandamus actions; reviews and drafts leases, agreements, insurance requirements, resolutions and ordinances, including Municipal Code revisions; responds to subpoenas and public records requests; and provides primary legal support for staff of the City’s Community Development (Planning), Police, Economic Development and Library departments.
Legal Assistant II, Marilyn H. Pecunia, attended Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan. She dedicates her time to office management and administration, including responsibility for developing and tracking the annual office budget. She provides paralegal and clerical support for the City Attorney’s staff, works on specialized projects, maintains the office library and research materials, and files legal documents with the Courts.