Pamela Thompson, City Attorney
Ms. Thompson started with the City on January 2, 2002.
From 1995 - 2001, Ms. Thompson was a Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco where she served a variety of assignments, including as an employment litigation supervisor, handling discrimination cases in federal and state court. Previous work experience includes service as a federal judicial law clerk for the U.S. District Court in San Jose, as an Associate for the law firm of McGlinchey, Stafford, Cellini & Lang of New Orleans, Louisiana in the firm's labor and employment section, and as a New Orleans' Assistant District Attorney prosecuting criminal cases.
Upon graduation from Newcomb College in New Orleans in 1979 Ms. Thompson received a Bachelor of Arts degree and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. Ms. Thompson attended the Tulane School of Law in New Orleans from 1983 to 1986 where she received a Juris Doctor degree.
From 1997-2000, Ms. Thompson served as a member of the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women. From 1988-1991, Ms. Thompson served with the Association for Women Attorneys in New Orleans having held positions of Vice President and Chairperson. During her time of service with the Association, Ms. Thompson established a Courtroom Advocate Program for victims of sexual assault.
Ms. Thompson is licensed to practice law in the states of Louisiana and California.
City Attorney
The City Attorney is appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The City Attorney performs many functions, including: researching the law concerning a wide range of municipal issues; advising the San Bruno City Council and all of its appointed boards and commissions; attending City Council, Planning Commission and, as needed, other board and commission meetings; advising all City departments on a day-to-day basis; drafting of contracts, memoranda, ordinances and resolutions; reviewing agreements, policies and bonds to which the City is a party or beneficiary; providing for the defense or prosecution of all litigation matters involving the City, including actions for violations of City ordinances; responding to or filing on the City’s behalf, and then appearing in court upon, legal motions involving weapons confiscations, discovery of employee personnel records, and subpoenas of City records and officials; and the overall administration of legal processes.
In addition, the City Attorney serves as an executive advisor to the City Manager and City Council on non-legal matters involving program development, leadership and public relations.
The City Attorney, in conjunction with the Finance Department and City Manager's Office, administers the liability portion of the City's self-insurance program. This involves both adjusting tort claims in-house and working with the City's liability pool claims adjuster. Also, the City Attorney supervises outside legal counsel retained to defend the City against lawsuits alleging tort causes of action.
The City Attorney's Office is staffed by one full-time attorney and a full-time legal secretary. During the summer months, a part time temporary law clerk from a local law school may be hired.