The Litigation Division represents the City of Austin, City officials and City employees in civil litigation matters. Assistant City Attorneys defend the City of Austin and its employees in cases venued in state and federal court and all appellate courts. The types of cases include civil rights, contract disputes, personal injury, employment, and land use matters. The Division also initiates legal action to recover damages to city property, to enforce code requirements, to abate criminal nuisances, condemn property needed for a public purpose, to collect delinquent hotel taxes, to protect the environment and to enforce anti-discrimination laws related to fair housing. The Division also processes and adjusts between 800-900 pre-suit insurance claims through the City’s tort liability self-insurance.
The General Litigation group has two claims investigators who investigate and process approximately 700 claims against the City per year.
AFFIRMATIVE LITIGATION
The City Attorney created the Affirmative Litigation group in November 2008. This Division focuses on protecting the health and safety of Austin citizens. The Affirmative Litigation Division initiates legal action to recover damages to city property, to enforce code requirements, to condemn property needed for a public purpose, to collect delinquent hotel taxes and to protect the environment. The Division also assists Austin Police Department with nuisance abatement cases, and assists the Fair Housing Office with discrimination complaints.