Pursuant to the authority granted to the Common Council by § 8-3 of the Charter of the City of Norwalk (2024 Edition), a Law Department for the City of Norwalk (the "City") is hereby created and established.
[HISTORY: Adopted City of Norwalk Common Council 4-23-2024.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former Ch. 63, Law Department, adopted 6-8-1971, as amended.
[Amended 7-22-2025]
The Law Department shall be the legal representative of the municipal corporation, and shall perform the following duties:
A.
Represent and advise the Mayor, Common Council, and all City officers, agencies, boards and commissions in all matters of law pertaining to their respective offices and/or duties.
B.
Upon request of the Common Council or any committee or any member thereof, assist in the preparation of any ordinance or other legislation affecting the City. The Corporation Counsel may require that such requests be in writing.
C.
Represent and appear as and be the attorney of record in all actions and proceedings for the enforcement of ordinances, other regulations and claims of the City and in all actions or proceedings in any court or before any board wherein the City or its officers, officials, boards, agencies or commissions or employees, by reason of any suits growing out of their official duties, shall be parties defendant or parties in interest.
D.
Prepare or supervise the preparation of all ordinances, regulations, resolutions, contracts and any other legal papers of whatever nature.
E.
Render formal opinions and give necessary legal counsel and advice when requested by the Common Council or any member thereof, the Mayor or any board, agency, commission or department. The Corporation Counsel may require that such requests be in writing.
[Amended 7-22-2025]
A.
The Corporation Counsel shall be the administrative head of the Law Department, and all attorneys and other personnel employed by the City as part of the Department shall be subject to their supervision. The compensation of the Corporation Counsel shall be established by the Common Council.
B.
There shall be one Deputy Corporation Counsel who will be a full-time permanent employee of the City and they shall be subject to removal from office only for just cause. The compensation of the Deputy Corporation Counsel shall be established by the Common Council.
C.
There shall be full-time or part-time Assistant Corporation Counsels, as established by the Common Council, and they shall be subject to removal from office only for just cause. The Corporation Counsel, the Deputy Corporation Counsel and the full-time or part-time Assistant Corporation Counsels shall be entitled to such pension and other benefits as are provided for full-time and part-time permanent employees of the City. Pursuant to § 63-5A, the City may employ attorneys outside the Law Department for special cases or other matters, provided that such employment shall not be the basis for reducing the number of Assistant Corporation Counsel positions.
[Amended 7-22-2025]
The Corporation Counsel shall be appointed in the manner set forth in the Charter of the City of Norwalk, and they shall perform such duties as set forth in said Charter. Any person appointed as Corporation Counsel shall be an attorney of at least seven years’ experience and shall be a member of the Connecticut Bar in good standing.
[Amended 7-22-2025]
A.
The Deputy Corporation Counsel and the Assistant Corporation Counsels shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the confirmation of the Common Council.
B.
Upon good cause, the Corporation Counsel or Deputy Corporation Counsel may retain an attorney or attorneys, not employed by the Law Department, on behalf of the City for purposes of performing any of the duties of the Law Department as set forth in § 63-2. This shall not be the basis for reducing the number of Assistant Corporation Counsel positions.
[Amended 7-22-2025]
A.
The Deputy Corporation Counsel shall be appointed by the Mayor for a permanent full-time position, and shall serve until such time as their successor is duly appointed and qualified, unless removed for just cause.
B.
Any person appointed to the office of Deputy Corporation Counsel shall be an attorney of at least five years' experience and shall be a member of the Connecticut Bar in good standing.