Law Department

The Law Department, as presently constituted, consists of the Law Director and Prosecutor, and First and Second Assistants. All are lawyers with substantial experience and dedicated to service to the community.
The Law Department serves as legal advisor to the Mayor, Council, all city departments, and all Boards and Commissions. These lawyers also represent the City in all legal proceedings, both civil and criminal, prepare or review all legislation and contracts, and review all other legal documents that concern the municipal corporation.
At all times, the Law Department makes every reasonable effort to resolve disputes without litigation or, if those efforts are not successful, to retain the litigation in house and thereby avoid the use of outside counsel and the legal costs associated therewith. Certain specialized areas of the law mandate the use of outside counsel, such as bond work, and, where required, outside counsel will be employed. Some matters are primarily handled by our insurance defense counsel in conjunction with the Law Department.