City Attorney                Kristopher Kokotaylo, Esq.

The City Attorney is appointed by the City Council to serve as the chief legal officer of the City and is responsible for administration of all legal affairs of the City.  The City Attorney’s responsibilities include providing professional legal advice and opinions to the City Council, City officials, and City staff.  The City Attorney is also responsible for drafting and reviewing legal documents, including leases, ordinances, resolutions, deeds, insurance requirements, and contracts.  The City Attorney represents the City in some litigation, administrative hearings, and other legal matters.  The City Attorney also serves as the City’s Risk Manager and oversees the City’s risk management program.

The City Attorney does not provide legal counsel to citizens or outside businesses.
If you are in need of an attorney, please contact the  Lawyer Referral (Alameda County Bar Association) ..

Mr. Kristopher Kokotaylo was appointed by the Newark City Council to serve as the Interim City Attorney in December 2018. He was further appointed as the City Attorney on April 14, 2022

Risk Management

Risk Management is an effort to minimize and manage the City's liability claims.  The City is self-insured and belongs to a regional governmental insurance pool, the Pooled Liability Assurance Network (PLAN).  All claims are processed through a third-party insurance administrator, Sedgwick.

If you believe that you have a legitimate claim against the City, then you need to complete a claim form.  Claim forms are available by calling the City Clerk's office at 510-578-4278, by picking up a firm from the City Clerk's office located at 37101 Newark Boulevard, 2nd floor, Newark, CA  94560 or by downloading the claim form Claim Form (Fillable) (pdf).

Please follow the instructions on the claim form and attach any documentation that you feel may support your claim.  Incomplete forms may delay the processing of your claim or may result in the denial of your claim.

Claims may be submitted by U.S. mail or in person (during business hours) to:

     City Clerk
     City of Newark
     37101 Newark Boulevard, 2nd Floor
     Newark, CA  94560

City Hall is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  City Hall is closed on alternating Fridays, and holidays.  Please consult the calendar on this page for closures. You will be informed of the City's decision by mail, usually within forty-five (45) days from the filing date of the claim.