There shall be a legal department, the head of which shall be the city attorney, who may be an individual attorney or a law firm and who shall be appointed by the city council. If a law firm is appointed as city attorney, one individual attorney shall be designated as the principal contact. The city attorney's services shall be on a part-time basis. The school board may hire independent counsel when in its judgment independent counsel is needed.
(Ord. 86-8 § 1, 1986; Ord. 84-8, 1984; Ord. 77-7 § 2 (part), 1977)
The city attorney shall:
A. 
Be charged with the performance of all legal services of the city including those of legal adviser to the council, the city manager, and to all departments and offices of the city;
B. 
Upon the request of any municipal official or on his or her own initiative, take the necessary steps to arrange for the prosecution of violations of the city ordinances;
C. 
The city attorney shall represent the city in all matters, civil and criminal, that are not prosecuted as minor infractions by the city of Dillingham. The types of infractions to be prosecuted by the city without an attorney shall be determined by resolution. Minor infractions may be prosecuted directly by Dillingham city officials without involvement of the city attorney, to the extent permitted by Alaska Statutes and the court;
D. 
Draft any ordinance when requested by a city council member, the mayor, or the city manager;
E. 
Perform such other duties as may be required by the city council or the ordinances of the city;
F. 
Attend the meetings of the city council as required;
G. 
Report to the city council promptly all suits brought against the city;
H. 
Call to the attention of the city council and the city manager all matters of law affecting the city;
I. 
Render all opinions in writing, insofar as practicable;
J. 
Maintain a record of all of his or her written opinions rendered and turn such record over to his successor in office;
K. 
Appear before the State Legislature or any legislative committee when required by the city council or city manager, and represent, answer for, defend and advocate the interests and welfare of the city whenever the same may be directly or incidentally affected;
L. 
Approve as to form any bond presented to the city attorney, given by or on behalf of any city officer or other person who is required by any law, ordinance or contract, or by order of the city council to give bond; and
M. 
Advise and assist the city clerk in the preparation, publication, maintenance, distribution and supplementation of the Dillingham Municipal Code.
(Ord. 86-23 § 1, 1986; Ord. 86-8 § 1, 1986; Ord. 84-8, 1984; Ord. 77-7 § 2 (part), 1977)
During any temporary disruption of the city attorney's services to the city, the city attorney, after consulting with the city manager, may designate a member of his law firm to acting city attorney to act with all of the powers, duties and obligations of that office, for a term not to exceed thirty days. In the event the city attorney is incapacitated or is for any reason unable to appoint an acting city attorney, or is unable to provide services to the city for a period in excess of thirty days, the city manager, with the concurrence of the city council, shall appoint an acting city attorney to act with all of the powers, duties and obligations of that office until the city attorney returns to duty or until the position becomes permanently vacant.
(Ord. 86-8 § 1, 1986; Ord. 84-8, 1984; Ord. 77-7 § 2 (part), 1977)