(a) Job Responsibilities. Under administrative direction, the Law Director shall serve as Chief Legal Counsel to the Mayor, Council and administrative offices, departments, commissions and boards of the City; represent the City in court actions; prepare ordinances; prepare legal documents; and perform other related duties as required.
(b) Qualifications. The Law Director shall have completed law school, shall be licensed to practice law in the State and shall have been engaged in the full-time practice of law continuously for a period of at least three years.
(c) Illustrative Duties. The Law Director shall:
(1) Plan, direct and administer the City's Law Department; act as Police Prosecutor for the County; and act as advisor to the Police Department in matters of law enforcement;
(2) Provide legal advice and opinions for the Mayor, Council and its committees, department/division heads and City boards and commissions, regarding the conduct of City business; and conduct research of existing statutes, ordinances and court decisions to aid in formulating legal opinions;
(3) Represent the City during court actions, hearings with administrative bodies and other litigation; prosecute offenders in the Municipal Court; and monitor work of the Assistant City Attorney and other staff members;
(4) Maintain authority and/or participate in management responsibilities and decisions such as, but not limited to, discipline, hiring, promoting, adjusting grievances, labor contract matters, assignments and employee evaluations, etc.;
(5) Prepare contracts and other legal instruments involving City operations; and prepare records, reports or other documentation, e.g. legal briefs, reports regarding status of pending legal matters, etc.;
(6) Attempt to settle or adjust claims by citizens involving the City or its operations;
(7) Supervise the drafting of legislation, revision and codification of ordinances; and
(8) Attend Council meetings and provide legal advice.
(d) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. The Law Director shall have:
(1) Knowledge of the field of law; of laws and regulations governing municipal government; of local, State and Federal laws and court decisions affecting municipalities; of organization functions and activities of municipal government; of the Ohio Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure; of administrative management principles and practices; and of management theory; and
(2) The ability to communicate effectively through speech and writing, to conduct in-depth research, to gather, analyze and interpret legal information, to develop and maintain working relationships with associates, elected officials, other professionals and the general public, to monitor or review the work of others, to prepare and maintain accurate documentation, and to direct and coordinate the work of other attorneys.