There shall be a department of law which shall consist of the city solicitor and such assistant city solicitors and other employees as may be provided by ordinance. The city solicitor shall be appointed and removed by the mayor as provided in section 5.02. The city solicitor shall be a qualified elector of the State of Rhode Island, an attorney at law admitted to practice in the courts of Rhode Island and shall at the time of the city solicitor's appointment have so practiced for five years. The city solicitor shall appoint to serve at the city solicitor's pleasure the assistant city solicitors who shall be electors of the State of Rhode Island and attorneys at law admitted to practice in the courts of Rhode Island. Such other employees of the department as there may be shall be appointed by the city solicitor, subject to the provisions of chapter 14. The compensation of the city solicitor and assistant city solicitors shall be fixed by ordinance.
(Approved at referendum 11/3/1998; Res. No. 2024-6, 2/26/2024)
The city solicitor shall be legal adviser of the mayor, the council and departments, boards, commissions, offices and agencies of the city in all matters affecting the interests of the city. Upon request the city solicitor shall furnish to any of them a written opinion on any question of law involving their respective powers and duties. The city solicitor shall attend all meetings of the council or if unable to attend, shall assign an assistant city solicitor to do so. The city solicitor shall examine all proposed ordinances for form and legality and file a report thereon with the city clerk before final action is taken by the council. The city solicitor shall prepare or approve the form of all contracts and other instruments to which the city is a party or in which it has an interest. The city solicitor shall represent the city in all actions, suits or proceedings brought by or against the city or any of its departments, boards, commissions, offices and agencies. The city solicitor shall have power with the approval of the mayor to appeal from any order, decision or judgment in such cases or to compromise and settle any claims by or against the city.
(Approved at referendum 11/3/1998)