City Hall, Second Floor
201 North Broadway
Escondido, CA 92025

Phone: 760-839-4608
Fax:  760-739-7070
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

The Escondido City Attorney’s Office represents the City of Escondido and provides a full range of legal services to the City Council, City department directors and staff, and City Boards and Commissions.  The Office provides advice on all legal and regulatory matters affecting the City and represents the City and its employees in civil lawsuits filed in state and federal court as well as representation in administrative proceedings against the City. 

The Office also provides advice and legal opinions in the areas of land use, personnel matters, collective bargaining, contracts, leases, elections, conflict of interest, and open meeting laws. 

The Office employs a full time prosecutor responsible for prosecuting violations of City Municipal and Zoning Code laws in coordination with the City’s police, fire, and code enforcement departments. 

If you wish to file a claim against the City, claim forms are available at the City Clerk’s Office or you can download a copy online.  Claim forms must be returned to the City Clerk’s Office for processing.

Popular Links

Here are some links that you may find helpful


California Attorney General

Escondido Municipal Code

Ethics Training

Fair Political Practices Commission

San Diego County District Attorney

San Diego Superior Court

Executive Staff

City Attorney
Michael R. McGuinness

Assistant City Attorney
Keith Phillips

Assistant City Attorney
Gary McCarthy

Senior Deputy City Attorney 
M. Dare DeLano

Deputy City Attorney II
Mark Bookholder

Deputy City Attorney II
Elyse Dayrit

Deputy City Attorney I
Brenna Miller

Contact Executive Staff

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