City Attorney Job Description
In order to fulfill the obligations of government and keep city offices running smoothly, all city governments need the services of attorneys. The offices of the city attorney in medium-sized or large cities are typically staffed with a number of assistant attorneys who specialize in different areas of law. This team of lawyers advises city officials and departments with their day-to-day functioning and represents the city in litigation. In cities that have a municipal court system, the city attorney's office also prosecutes minor crimes.
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Advising
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The city attorney, or one of her deputies, attends department and board meeting of the various city agencies to answer questions of city officials as they arise. Since the functions of city departments are varied, a different member of the team might be assigned to each type of agency. For example, in Austin, Texas the Community Services Division of the City Attorney's office handles the questions of Parks & Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Services and the Health Department among others while the Administrative and Financial Services Division works on behalf of the Auditor's Office, Human Resources and other departments having to do with budget and finance. All togehter, six separate divisions of the city attorney's office in Austin cover the needs of the city government.
Litigation
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In order to conduct the business of government, it is sometimes necessary to file lawsuits. For example, if a private service provider has not fulfilled his contract with the city, the department who hired him may decide to sue. Trial lawyers within the office of the city attorney handle those lawsuits.
Cities are often sued as well for a variety of reasons. If an individual is injured on city property or becomes involved in an accident with a police cruiser or other emergency vehicle, he may sue the city for damages. Lawyers in the city attorney's office defend those cases themselves or hire outside counsel to assist.
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Prosecuting Crimes
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Some cities have municipal courts in which minor crimes, traffic offenses, and citations for violations of city ordinances are handled. City attorneys act as prosecutors in municipal courts. In addition to prosecuting offenders, city attorneys work with individuals or defense attorneys to arrange plea bargains or other resolution of criminal or quasi-criminal cases short of trial.
Document Preparation
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City attorneys help conduct the business of government by preparing legal documents. City attorneys help draft ordinances, contracts, agreements, regulations, and other necessary documents. They use their legal training to draft documents in a way that makes the rights and obligations of the city, its citizens and its goods and services providers clear in order to avoid later misunderstandings and unnecessary litigation.
Community Outreach
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Although city attorneys do not provide legal services to the public--their attorney-client relationship is with the city itself--most do provide websites, publications and other informational services to residents to assist them in find other legal assistance, obtaining various city services, reporting crimes, and even providing the necessary forms to sue the city.
Becoming a City Attorney
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Many city attorneys are elected by the public. In other places, it is the right and responsibility of city officials or boards to select a city attorney. The city attorney, in turn, manages hiring and firing of legal and support staff within his office.
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References
- Photo Credit city hall entryway image by Aaron Kohr from Fotolia.com
