News

DANA POINT - The City Council today voted to retain Costa Mesa-based Rutan & Tucker LLP as Dana Point's contract City Attorney on an interim basis, and the firm named partner A. Patrick Muñoz as the lead attorney on the contract. "On behalf of Rutan & Tucker, we are very happy for this opportunity to work with the city officials and people of Dana Point to ensure the continued high quality of its environment, business climate and quality of life," said Muñoz. "I'm looking forward to assisting the mayor, City Council and city staff and getting to know them and the people of the community better." City Manager Douglas C. Chotkevys recommended Rutan & Tucker to the Council based on its experience and reputation for quality in the representation of cities and other public agencies, as well as on his own prior positive working relationship with the firm. "Rutan & Tucker offers an expertise and depth that can be of immense value in moving Dana Point forward," said Chotkevys. Rutan & Tucker is the contract city attorney for neighboring coastal cities San Clemente and Laguna Beach, as well as several other municipalities in California, and the firm is special counsel to dozens of cities. In addition, Rutan & Tucker is general or special counsel to scores of redevelopment agencies, community college and school districts, water districts and other special districts throughout the state. Muñoz has served Twentynine Palms as its city attorney since 1996. He also serves as the deputy city attorney of Irvine and has previously served as assistant city attorney for San Fernando, West Covina, and Baldwin Park. His roots in Orange County are deep, as he gradutated from Servite High School and the University of California, Irvine, before earning his law degree cum laude from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles in 1989. Muñoz replaces Michele Vadon of Burke, Williams and Sorensen LLP. For more information: Douglas C. Chotkevys, City Manager, (949) 248-3513