California has rules of professional conduct for attorneys. The California Bar Association receives complaints about attorney conduct and has the power to take disciplinary action for violation of its rules. This is authorized by the Business and Professions Code.
Here is the page with the form for a complaint against an attorney.
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Complaints-Claims/How-to-File-a-Complaint
This page has rules for attorneys. You can find it from the first link.
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/Conduct-Discipline/Rules
According to the State Bar of California the City Attorney is also obligated to perform legal services with competence.Rule 1.1 Competence (Rule Approved by the Supreme Court, Effective November 1, 2018)
(a) A lawyer shall not intentionally, recklessly, with gross negligence, or repeatedly fail to perform legal services with competence.
(b) For purposes of this rule, “competence” in any legal service shall mean to apply the (i) learning and skill, and (ii) mental, emotional, and physical ability reasonably* necessary for the performance of such service.
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rule_1.1-Exec_Summary-Redline.pdf
Also according to the State Bar of California the City Attorney is also obligated to perform legal services with diligence.
Rule 1.3 Diligence (Rule Approved by the Supreme Court, Effective November 1, 2018)
(a) A lawyer shall not intentionally, repeatedly, recklessly or with gross negligence fail to act with reasonable diligence in representing a client.
(b) For purposes of this rule, “reasonable diligence” shall mean that a lawyer acts with commitment and dedication to the interests of the client and does not neglect or disregard, or unduly delay a legal matter entrusted to the lawyer.
https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rule_1.3-Exec_Summary-Redline.pdf
The California Rules of Professional Conduct (Effective November 1, 2018) describes the relationship between an attorney’s competence and his diligence: “Rule 3-110(B) provides:
(B) For purposes of this rule, ‘competence’ in any legal service shall mean to apply the 1) diligence, 2) learning and skill, and 3) mental, emotional, and physical ability reasonably necessary for the performance of such service. (Emphasis added.)”
(page vii)
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf