Volume 2, Issue 5 — May 2026

Protecting San Diego's Future: $450 Million in Federal Funding Preserved

I'm proud to share that my office has protected more than $450 million in federal funding for San Diego. At a time when the City is facing a significant budget deficit, every federal dollar matters.

Since the beginning of 2025, my office has filed or joined six lawsuits and over two dozen amicus briefs challenging unlawful federal actions. Our aggressive litigation strategy has preserved critical grants for the San Diego Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, FEMA disaster preparedness funding, HUD housing dollars, and a $10 million tree-planting initiative for San Diego neighborhoods.

When the federal administration attempted to use federal funds as leverage or pull them back entirely, we moved fast. We joined coalitions with cities across the country and went to court. The result: hundreds of millions of dollars protected for San Diego — police officers on our streets, firefighters ready for the next emergency, housing for families experiencing homelessness, and a cleaner environment.

San Diegans pay federal taxes and deserve every federal dollar Congress has promised to this City. We're standing up for our residents, defending the City's resources, and making sure the services San Diego depends on are here today and tomorrow.

Stopping Illegal Cannabis Sales at Local Smoke Shops 

We're taking action to protect public health and enforce state and city licensing laws in San Diego. We obtained a temporary restraining order against Mira Mesa Smoke and Vape Incorporated and Prime Smoke and Vape following an undercover investigation that uncovered concealed backroom sales of THC products.


Laboratory testing confirmed THC levels well above California's legal limit of 0.3 percent. Neither retailer holds the required state cannabis license or the Cannabis Outlet Permit mandated by the San Diego Municipal Code. These unregulated products create serious health risks, especially for minors, and undercut licensed businesses that play by the rules.


Under the temporary restraining order, both stores and their owners are prohibited from possessing, selling, or distributing any THC-containing products until they meet all legal and regulatory requirements. We're committed to keeping illegal drugs off our streets and protecting San Diego's consumers and legitimate businesses.

Building Connections and Sharing Impact

San Diego Youth Symphony Day Proclamation

I joined Councilmember Stephen Whitburn in presenting a City Council proclamation recognizing San Diego Youth Symphony Day.

The proclamation celebrated the Symphony's 80 seasons of performances, its longstanding commitment to expanding access to high-quality music education, and its impact on young musicians and families across the region. From its beginnings as a single student orchestra in 1945 to its role today as one of the nation's oldest continuously operating youth symphonies, the organization has inspired, educated, and strengthened communities through the power of music.



We were honored to help acknowledge their contributions and the generations of students whose lives have been shaped by their programs.

NAPIPA Spring Networking Event

My team joined the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association (NAPIPA) for its Spring Networking Event, which brought together colleagues from our office and partner agencies. We were especially proud to honor Assistant City Attorney (ACA) Karen Li, the first Asian American Pacific Islander ACA in our Criminal Division, and to recognize her leadership and contributions to our office. We are grateful to NAPIPA for hosting such a meaningful event and for helping strengthen a supportive and connected legal community.

My office was honored to celebrate Administrative Professionals Day with the San Diego County Bar Association. The event recognized the dedicated legal support professionals who are essential to the daily operations of the legal community, including those who keep our office running smoothly. We are grateful for their expertise, professionalism, and the vital contributions they make every day.

Nearly two decades after first taking the attorney's oath, I stood in a courthouse full of judges, lawyers, and law students to take it again. And this time, I meant every word even more.

The San Diego County Bar Association's Law Day Renewing Oath Ceremony at the San Diego Central Courthouse brought together legal professionals from across the region for a public recommitment to the rule of law, judicial independence, and the integrity of our profession. Presiding Judge Michael Groch led the ceremony, and it concluded with remarks by Chief Judge Cynthia Beshant of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.



The oath isn't a formality — it's a line in the sand. When courts are pressured, when lawyers are targeted, and when the independence of the legal profession is treated as negotiable, we have to stand up and say: not here, not on our watch.

This ceremony was part of a national Law Day of Action, with more than 40 cities holding similar events the same day — Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and beyond. Standing alongside seasoned practitioners and law students awaiting their bar exam results underscored what this profession is really about: service, integrity, and accountability.

Dining Out for Life is an annual event that brings the community together in celebration and solidarity. Participating restaurants donate a portion of their sales to support the San Diego LGBT Community Center's health and wellness programs, including HIV services and prevention efforts.

My office kicked things off by joining friends and colleagues for breakfast at Crest Cafe, then stopped by Babycakes in Hillcrest for a sweet treat later in the day. It's a meaningful way to connect with colleagues and community members while supporting vital services that make a real difference in San Diego. We were grateful for the chance to be part of this important cause and to give back to our community.

I had the honor of attending the 2nd Annual Arab American Bar Association (AABA) Gala, surrounded by some of the region's most impactful advocates and leaders.

The evening welcomed the incoming board and recognized this year's honorees for their outstanding contributions to the community. It was great to see so many friends and colleagues come together in support of this important work.

Congratulations to all of this year's honorees and new board members!

We welcomed a group of curious and energetic second graders from La Jolla Country Day, who stopped by City Hall to learn about my role as the City Attorney and the work we do at the City Attorney's Office.

They came prepared with thoughtful questions like "What's the hardest part of your job?" and "How do you handle compromises?"— questions some of us are still figuring out ourselves.

A great reminder that civic engagement starts early, and that taking the time to share what we do with young people is one of the most meaningful parts of this role.

Can't wait to see this next generation of leaders make San Diego an even greater city!

Standing With Survivors on Denim Day