The mission of the Corporation Counsel and the City's Law Department is to provide the City, and its various departments, officials, and employees, with the very best legal representation, as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. This includes providing the best advice and counseling possible with respect to contracts, real estate and other transactions, proposed and actual legislation, and policy initiatives, and the best representation possible in negotiations and in litigation, regulatory and other proceedings.  The Corporation Counsel and the Law Department will provide such counseling and representation with the goal of furthering and protecting the financial and other interests, and the public safety, of the City and its citizens, and anticipating and avoiding or minimizing the City's exposure to adverse financial and other effects, including adverse legal rulings, judgments and awards.