CDFW's General Counsel advises and reports to the Director on legal matters; conducts legal actions and directs the State Attorney General in representing the Department; and provides in-house legal services to CDFW divisions and regions.
Service of Process
In light of the unprecedented COVID-19 virus and the Governor’s Executive Orders N-25-20, N-29-20, and N-33-20, for the duration of the emergency the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will not be accepting personal service of process.
In lieu of personal service, CDFW consents and commits to accepting service of process by means of the “notice and acknowledgment” process in California Code of Civil Procedure section 415.30. To complete service of process, please email the summons, the complaint, and the notice and acknowledgement required by Section 415.30, subdivision (b), to Steven.Ingram@wildlife.ca.gov. CDFW will reply by email with a signed electronic copy of the acknowledgment to complete service of the summons.
In lieu of personal service of document subpoenas directed to CDFW, please email them to Steven.Ingram@wildlife.ca.gov as described above. Deposition subpoenas for CDFW employees must be personally served on the applicable employee unless the employee and the Office of General Counsel have agreed to accept an alternative method of service.
We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation.
Frequently Requested Resources