City Attorney Jennifer McGrath Attends Candidate Forum to Discuss the Office of Huntington Beach City Attorney

Huntington Beach, CA, October 20, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Huntington Beach City Attorney Jennifer McGrath attended the Kiwanis City Attorney Candidate Forum held at the Meadowlark Country Club in Huntington Beach, California, on September 28, 2010. The Kiwanis Club of Huntington Beach holds candidate forums during election years as a service to help the community become better informed as they go to the polls in the November 2, election. Jennifer McGrath, the current Huntington Beach City Attorney and incumbent candidate, was pleased to attend the forum to discuss the office of Huntington Beach City Attorney.

The Huntington Beach City Attorney represents and advises the City Council and all City officials in matters of law pertaining to the business of the City of Huntington Beach. The City Attorney also represents the City of Huntington Beach in court. The City Attorney position naturally requires an extensive background in municipal law.

Jennifer McGrath talked about the fact that she has served as the Huntington Beach City Attorney since her election in November 2002, after previously working as a Deputy City Attorney. She not only has the experience, she is the only candidate with the necessary background in municipal law. Her opponent has been an attorney for less than three years and has no experience in municipal law.

Jennifer McGrath discussed the fact that with the Huntington Beach City Attorney’s office shouldering its share of City budget cuts, it is more important than ever that Huntington Beach has a seasoned and experienced City Attorney. Quite simply, the City Attorney’s office must do more with less. Now, more than ever, Huntington Beach needs a City Attorney with experience, dedication, and a proven track record. Jennifer McGrath is the right choice for Huntington Beach City Attorney.

Jennifer McGrath commented on her proven record of superior legal representation of the City with reduced reliance on outside counsel and substantial cost savings for Huntington Beach. She protects taxpayer money, reducing the need for taxes and fees, by avoiding lawsuits whenever possible and aggressively defending lawsuits against the City. Jennifer McGrath believes tax dollars should not be wasted on frivolous lawsuits, but dedicated to public safety, infrastructure, and community services.

Jennifer McGrath spoke about the fact that she has used her expertise to improve service levels to the Huntington Beach City Council, City staff, and the community. She reorganized the City Attorney’s office and created an Advisory and Litigation division. The Advisory Division advises City staff of all departments on a daily basis on how to accomplish their goal while avoiding litigation. The Litigation Division handles 95% of the cases filed against the City at significantly less expense than outside attorneys.

During her tenure as Huntington Beach City Attorney, Jennifer McGrath has implemented new technology to increase transparency and permit the distribution of public reports about the activities of the City Attorney’s office. She established City-wide training programs on a variety of topics including Ethics, the Brown Act, and the Public Records Act to remind Huntington Beach City staff that they work for the citizens.

To read more about Jennifer McGrath and the Office of Huntington Beach City Attorney, go to www.jennifermcgrath.com/archives/kiwanis-huntington-beach-city-attorney-candidate-forum/.

Jennifer McGrath is widely endorsed as the right choice for Huntington Beach City Attorney by dignitaries from all parties based on her practice of providing legal advice without personal bias or partisanship.

The Kiwanis Club of Huntington Beach is a service organization dedicated to serving the youth of Huntington Beach and assisting needy individuals in the Huntington Beach community including Huntington Beach seniors. Huntington Beach Kiwanis members volunteer their time and donate their money in support of this Kiwanis mission and the charitable events sponsored by the Huntington Beach Kiwanis Club. Jennifer McGrath is a member of the Huntington Beach Kiwanis Club.

About Jennifer McGrath: Jennifer McGrath (www.jennifermcgrath.com) has served as the Huntington Beach City Attorney since her election in November 2002, after previously working as a Deputy City Attorney. Jennifer McGrath is running for re-election in 2010. Huntington Beach is Jennifer McGrath's hometown.

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