The Department of Law shall be administered by a Director of Law. The Director of Law shall be a qualified elector at the time of his election, duly admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio with at least five (5) years of general attorney experience, or at least three (3) years of prior municipal attorney experience either [1] as an assistant law director and/or law director for an Ohio municipality or [2] as an attorney representing an Ohio municipality in civil actions in state or federal court and shall have been a resident of the City for at least one (1) year immediately preceding his election or appointment and shall continue to be a resident of the City during his term of office. Said Director shall be elected at the regular municipal election in each odd-numbered year for a period of two (2) years. His term shall commence and he shall assume office on the first day of January following his election and shall serve out his term or until his successor is elected and qualified, whichever occurs last.
He shall serve the Mayor, the Council, the administrative officers and departments and the commissions and boards of the City as legal counsel, represent the City in all proceedings in Court or before any administrative body, perform all duties now or hereafter imposed on city solicitors by the general law and perform such other duties consistent with his office as the Council or Mayor may impose upon him. He shall appoint and remove all assistant Directors of Law and Prosecutors. He or his appointed assistant shall act as the prosecuting attorney for the City.
If at any time the Director of Law shall cease to possess any of the qualifications for such office or shall be convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude or shall be declared legally incompetent, he shall forthwith forfeit his office. In the event the office of Director of Law becomes vacant, the Mayor shall appoint a successor who shall have the qualifications set forth in this section and serve for the unexpired term and until a successor is elected and qualified.
(Amended 11-4-08)