Candidate for
City Attorney; City of San Diego

Foremost among the potential candidates for San Diego City Attorney, Leslie Devaney possesses a unique combination of public and private sector experience, demonstrated leadership, commitment to professionalism, and service to taxpayers, which will continue to make her an effective City Attorney. Leslie's broad experience began in 1985 in the City Attorney's Criminal Division. Specializing in drug and manslaughter cases, she tried over 25 jury trials and 75 non-jury trials, and ultimately rose to the position of Presiding Deputy. After being promoted to the Civil Division, she litigated excessive Police force and dangerous condition of public property cases, and began volunteering her time as a Judge Pro Tem in Small Claims Court and as a court-appointed arbitrator in Municipal and Superior Court.

In 1992, Leslie left the City Attorney's office to become the Senior Litigator for New York-based American International Group (AIG), a high-risk insurer with offices in San Diego.

Leslie re-joined the City Attorney's office in 1996, when Casey Gwinn appointed her Executive Assistant City Attorney. In this capacity, she has been in charge of the legal aspects of the City Council Agenda and contact with the Mayor, City Council and City Manager; and manages matters involving both the Criminal and Civil Divisions of the City Attorney's office, including a variety of special projects.

Leslie formulated the first Outside Counsel Policy in the city, which reduced the number of cases going to outside counsel and imposed stricter billing and monitoring procedures that have saved taxpayers millions of dollars (for which she received the 2002 TWIN YWCAAward). Leslie spearheaded the Tobacco Settlement; the Adult Bookstore, Peep Show and Adult Entertainment Ordinances; and the Methamphetamine and Graffiti Ordinances. She co-authored the city's Bubble Ordinance and played significant roles in forming the city's Homeless Outreach Team, Alcohol Advertising Ordinance, BioTech Security and Special Event Plans, debarment proceedings for fraudulent contractors, Neighborhood Prosecution program, the Teen/Peer Court, and the Family Justice Center.

A native San Diegan, Leslie received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of California, San Diego in 1979, and her law degree from the University of San Diego in 1983. She is involved in numerous community organizations, including the Executive Policy Panel on Youth Access to Alcohol, Crime Victim's Fund Board of Directors, Professional Women's Fellowship Board of Directors, San Diego County Bar Association, San Diego Republican Businesswomen's Club, Lawyer's Club, National Management Academy, Homestays USA, Rancho Bernardo Republican Women's Federated and California Congress of Republicans.

Leslie and her husband Frank live in Scripps Ranch with their two daughters, who attend Scripps Ranch High School.