Mountain View Selects Familiar Face As City Attorney

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA — After an extensive search, the city of Mountain View appointed local government veteran Krishan Chopra as the next city attorney.

Chopra has been with the city for 10 years and previously served as an assistant city attorney and most recently as the senior assistant city attorney. He will be stepping in to replace retiring City Attorney Jannie Quinn, who served Mountain View for 24 years.

His starting salary is expected to be $245,000 annually.

“I am honored to be selected by the city council as city attorney,” said Chopra, who was appointed during the July 23 meeting. “The council has an ambitious and exciting work plan charted for the next several years, and I look forward to assisting the council in achieving their goals and vision for the city.”

With more than 20 years of experience in representing public agencies, Chopra’s specialty practice areas include land use and planning, environmental law, public works construction and conflict of interest compliance. Prior to serving with the city of Mountain View, he served as deputy county counsel for Napa County after he had represented public agencies in southern California in private practice.

Chopra, a Mountain View resident since 2009, is a graduate of Colgate University and Loyola Law School.

Chopra will manage an office of five attorneys and two support staff as well as oversee the code enforcement division.

“I am thankful to have learned so much from the dedicated staff and professionals with the city – in particular, the retiring City Attorney Jannie Quinn, who established a standard of excellence which I hope to continue,” Chopra said.

“Mr. Chopra brings solid municipal law knowledge to this role and years of experience working on topics relevant to the city during his 10-year tenure,“ Mountain View Mayor Lisa Matichak said. “We are fortunate to have Mr. Chopra step into this position."