What are the duties of a city attorney in a general law city such as defendant?

The duties of a city attorney in a general law city such as defendant are specified by statute. (People ex rel. Chapman v. Rapsey (1940) 16 Cal.2d 636, 107 P.2d 388.) Those duties are now set forth, in very general terms, in sections 41801 to 41803.5 of the Government Code. The only provisions here pertinent are those contained in sections 41801 and 41803, which read as follows:

Section 41801: 'The city attorney shall advise the city officials in all legal matters pertaining to city business.'

Section 41803: 'He shall perform other legal services required from time to time by the legislative body.'