Phaedra Norton

                           City Attorney

                                                       Phone: (951) 826-5738
                                                       Email: PNorton@riversideca.gov
                                                       Website: https://www.riversideca.gov/attorney

 

Phaedra Norton was appointed City Attorney on July 20, 2021. An attorney specializing in Municipal law, Phaedra has worked for multiple cities throughout California. Phaedra began her municipal career with the City of Modesto in the Central Valley. In Modesto, Phaedra served a variety of city departments including, but not limited to, Police, Fire, Finance, Public Works, and Community and Economic Development. In 2008, Phaedra was appointed to serve as the City Attorney for the City of Turlock. Phaedra was the primary legal advisor to the City Council, Council Committees, City Manager, City Clerk, and All City Departments. Phaedra was responsible for all administrative functions of the Office, along with overseeing and directing the legal affairs of the City from 2008 through 2018. While in Turlock, Phaedra guided the City Council through the Great Recession, the City’s shift from general elections to by-district elections, a comprehensive update of the City’s General Plan, the dissolution of the Redevelopment Agency, and construction of the Carnegie Arts Center, the Public Safety Facility and the Roger Fall Transportation Center, along with other major infrastructure projects. During Phaedra’s time in Turlock, she also served as the City Attorney for the City of Newman, General Counsel to the Stanislaus Regional Water Authority, General Counsel to the Turlock Sub-basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, and Executive Board and Board Member of the Central San Joaquin Valley Risk Management Authority.

Phaedra served as a Senior Deputy City Attorney for the City of Stockton prior to being appointed as City Attorney for the City of Merced in 2018. Phaedra served as the City Attorney for Merced from 2018 through 2021. She was the primary legal advisor to the City Council, Council Committees, City Manager/City Clerk. Phaedra was responsible for all administrative functions, of the Office along with overseeing and directing a very successful Code Enforcement program, guiding the City’s Charter Review Committee and City Council through several Charter Amendments and all the accompanying Charter changes. She worked closely with the City Manager’s Office and City Departments to implement any applicable recommendations.

Ms. Norton received her Juris Doctorate from Laurence Drivon School of Law (AKA Humphrey’s College School of Law) – Stockton, California, in May 1998.