Public Lawyer Spotlight: Charles Bell, Jr., City Attorney for the City of National City

• Publication year: 2022
• Author: Written by Public Law Editors

PUBLIC LAWYER SPOTLIGHT: CHARLES BELL, JR., CITY ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY

Written by Public Law Editors

Editors' Note: On June 3, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Charles Bell, Jr. to serve as a judge in the San Diego County Superior Court. Judge Bell will continue public service as a member of the bench.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER PATH.

I started my career in 2008 in the private sector, working for a San Diego firm only a block away from the law school I attended. The firm represented residential mortgage lenders, mortgage servicers, and trustee companies. During my time with the firm, I was privileged to rise to a Senior Civil Litigation Associate responsible for supervising several junior associates and later as Office Manager for the firm's Oregon office.

Before my current appointment, I represented California government agencies as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Luis Obispo and as a Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City of San Diego. Advising and litigating on the government's behalf, I covered all aspects of civil law. As a litigator, I represented the City of San Diego in personal injury, contracts, collections, construction, real property, employment, law enforcement, inverse condemnation, and civil rights litigation. In an advisory role, I assisted the City of San Luis Obispo's City Council, advisory bodies, and departments on developing and implementing policy.

As the City Attorney for the City of National City, California, I am legal counsel for the City and advise the City Council, boards and commissions, and City staff. My office also serves as City Prosecutor in adjudicating city ordinance violations, represents the City and its officials and employees in civil litigation, and supervises outside counsel in handling such litigation. My duties also include managing the City's liability program and an annual budget of $2.7 million.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A LAWYER?

I dreamed of being a lawyer when I first learned about African American lawyers' role in our society as a young student. I stood, gavel in hand, for a school presentation, announcing, "My report is on the Supreme Court Case, Brown v. Board of Education." I was adorned with a black graduation gown that engulfed my small ten-year-old frame. Wham! Slamming the gavel down on the school desk, I presented the report that laid the foundation for my legal career. Standing there proudly teaching my classmates about the role African American lawyers play in...