Santa Cruz City Council Appoints Cassie Bronson as City Attorney

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The Santa Cruz City Council is pleased to announce their intention to appoint Catherine “Cassie” Bronson as City Attorney effective January 1st. Bronson, who has served as Assistant City Attorney for several years, brings more than 16 years of legal experience and a deep knowledge of municipal law, litigation, and policy to her new role. 

Bronson’s appointment follows the upcoming retirement of longtime City Attorney Tony Condotti, who was appointed as City Attorney in 2015 and has served the City of Santa Cruz with distinction for more than three decades. 

"Cassie has played an essential role in helping the City of Santa Cruz move forward on critical priorities, from housing and homelessness response to coastal protection and public safety,” said City Manager Matt Huffaker. “Her collaborative spirit, sharp legal insight, and deep commitment to this community make her the right leader for this next chapter.” 

As Assistant City Attorney, Bronson has provided the City Council and staff with legal counsel on a wide range of issues, including housing and land use, homelessness response, coastal policy, and municipal governance. Before focusing on advisory work, she led the firm’s litigation practice, securing numerous legal victories for the City in state and federal courts. 

Throughout her career, Bronson has played a leading role in shaping and defending key City policies and legal initiatives, including: 

• Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax: Collaborated with Council and outside counsel to craft the voter-approved ballot measure and successfully defend it against multiple legal challenges. 

• Oversized Vehicle Ordinance: Guided the City through the creation and Coastal Commission approval of the first-ever Coastal Development Permit for oversized vehicle regulations. 

• Sidewalk Vending Regulations: Developed a comprehensive administrative enforcement program following the state’s decriminalization of sidewalk vending, resulting in a dramatic environmental improvement along Beach Street. 

• District Elections Transition: Provided legal counsel as the City transitioned to district-based elections and established an at-large mayor position, ensuring compliance with the California Voting Rights Act. 

• Litigation Successes: Achieved favorable outcomes in numerous high-stakes cases, including Meyberg v. City of Santa Cruz, GVC St. George LLC v. City of Santa Cruz, and Perez v. City of Santa Cruz, among others. 

“Ms. Bronson has earned the respect of City staff, the Council, and our community partners through her thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach,” said Mayor Fred Keeley. “She embodies the best of public service — trusted, intelligent, and deeply committed to the well-being of Santa Cruz.” 

Bronson began her legal career in private practice before joining the City’s contracted legal team. She is a Leadership Santa Cruz County graduate (Class 36, 2023) and a member of the Santa Cruz County Bar Association and the Santa Cruz County Women Lawyers Association. 

She earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) in 2009 and holds a B.A. with distinction in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Bronson lives in Santa Cruz with her husband and two children. 

About the City Attorney’s Office 

The City Attorney’s Office provides legal services to the Santa Cruz City Council, boards, commissions, and City departments. The Office is responsible for advising on municipal law, drafting ordinances and contracts, representing the City in legal proceedings, and ensuring all actions of the City comply with local, state, and federal law.