[R.O. 2011 §2.12.010; Code 1950 §203.1; Prior Code
§2-20; Ord. No. 5144 §1]
The Director of the Law Department shall be the City Counselor.
The City Counselor shall be duly licensed to practice law in the courts
of the State.
[R.O. 2011 §2.12.020; Code 1950 §203.2; Prior Code
§2-21]
The City Counselor shall have charge of all litigation in which
the City is a party; represent the City in all legal matters and proceedings
in which the City is a party or interested, or in which any of its
officers are parties in their official capacity; advise the City Council
or any committee or member thereof, and the heads of all departments,
and all other officers and agencies of the City as to all legal questions
affecting the City's interest; and approve as to form all ordinances,
contracts, deeds, bonds and any other documents to be signed in the
name of, or made to or with, the City.
[R.O. 2011 §2.12.030; Prior Code §2-22; Ord. No. 3410 §1]
Special counsel may be employed by the City Manager with the
consent of the Council to perform any necessary legal services for
the City; provided however, that the City Manager, whenever he/she
deems it necessary or advisable to do so, may employ special counsel
to represent the City in matters in the City court or Circuit Court
of the County, on appeals from the City court, and pay such compensation
therefor as may be agreed upon within the limits of the budget appropriation.