Business Litigation (832.393.6491)
Defends the City and its officers & employees in litigation involving claims against the City for breach of contract, various torts, copyright infringement, inverse condemnation, and construction law cases. This Division is also responsible for initiating litigation to recover money owed to the City in actions involving breach of contract, damage to City property, and hotel occupancy tax matters.
Claims and Subrogation (832.393.6491)
Liability claims (832.393.6393 or 832.393.6392)
Handles liability tort claims; subrogation claims (property, health, workers' compensation); workers' compensation litigation; and general affirmative collection claims (alarm fees, hazardous material discharge claims, and paving and special assessment claims). Please visit our section on Filing a Claim (Notice of Claim for Damages).
Contracts (832.393.6491)
Prepares, reviews and negotiates City contracts; provides opinions related to contract and competitive bidding matters. Advises City Departments on insurance requirements for contractors. See MWBE Ordinance.
Criminal Law (713.247.5474)
Represents the State and City in most cases filed in the Houston Municipal Courts including traffic, non-traffic, all ordinance violations, property disposition hearings, and scire facias matters. Conducts citizen intake regarding direct filing of non-traffic misdemeanors. Advises, assists, and educates police and City inspectors regarding statutory and code enforcement. Drafts search and arrest warrants. Works directly with Chief Clerk and Presiding Judge to solve problems and establish policy for the Municipal Courts. Responds to questions and problems from citizens. Performs numerous special assignments including drafting appellate briefs, complaint preparation, legislative analysis, bond forfeitures, and legal research.
Defense Litigation (832.393.6491)
Defends the City and its officers, and employees in personal injury, wrongful death, and civil rights litigation. Represents the City, its officers, and its employees in civil appellate litigation.
General Counsel (832.393.6491)
Drafts ordinances and opinions, interfaces with City Council Committees, handles Sign Code issues and MWBE matters and advises the Ethics Committee.
Governmental Regulations (832.393.6491)
Handles traditional governmental matters such as elections, public information requests, including drafting letters of exception to the Texas Attorney General, open meetings, redistricting, public finance, annexations, ad valorem taxation and utility regulation/franchising.
Labor (832.393.6491)
Represents the City at Civil Service Commission hearings, pretermination proceedings and arbitrations; works with all City departments on any issues related to discipline, and employee related policies; responds to E.E.O.C. matters; provides advice and prepares ordinances related to personnel matters; represents the City in litigation arising from federal and state employment related claims such as Chapter 143, Title VII and the A.D.A.; reviews and/or recommends policies and procedures for implementing new employment related legislation.
Land Use (832.393.6491)
Handles legal matters related to planning and development issues, tax increment reinvestment zones created by the City and tax abatement agreements negotiated by the City; and the City's historic preservation issues; and represents the City in a variety of matters involving enforcement of and compliance with local, state and federal environmental laws.
Neighborhood Services (832.393.6491)
(Deed Restriction Hotline: 832.393.6333)
Interfaces directly with neighborhood associations and citizens in order to prosecute nuisances and violations that negatively affect the preservation and protection of neighborhoods and the general quality of life in the community. Responsible for Crime-based nuisance abatement, deed restriction enforcement, dangerous buildings abatement, T.A.B.C. protests, and the title work to support these activities.
Real Estate (832.393.6491)
Provides services related to land sales and acquisitions, eminent domain proceedings, leases, abandonments, encroachments, abstract/title research and related matters; prepares and advises the Housing and Community Development Department on compliance with federal housing regulations, as well as reviewing loan and grant agreements and rights of entry.
Staff Administration (832.393.6491)
Responsible for records management, accounts payable, personnel functions, facility maintenance, law library, budget, financial and management analysis, and maintenance of the Legal Department's fixed asset management system. Maintain the department's local area network (LAN). Utilize the department's enhanced file management database system to generate automated workflow reports (Client Profiles).
