(A) There is hereby created the Department of Law to be headed by a Director of Law. Commencing January 1, 2006, the Director of Law shall be appointed for a term of office which shall expire on January 31, 2008. Thereafter, commencing February 1, 2008, and each two years thereafter, the Director of Law shall be appointed for a term of office of two years by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the Council by a vote of at least three-fourths of its members. The Director of Law shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and the Council and may be removed with or without cause by the Mayor with the approval of the Council by a vote of at least three- fourths of its members pursuant to Division (C)(2) of Section 5.02 of this Charter. The person holding the office of Village Solicitor at the time this Charter takes effect shall continue to serve as Director of Law under this Charter, with all the powers and duties as provided in this Charter, until January 1, 1982 or until he or she is removed as provided in this Charter. Vacancies in the office of Director of Law shall be filled, for the remainder of the unexpired term, in the same manner as original appointments to such office.
(B) The Director of Law shall be an attorney-at-law duly authorized to practice law in the State of Ohio. The Director of Law may serve as legal counsel to any school district, county, township, other municipality, or other political subdivision, district or unit of the federal, state or local governments and may receive additional compensation therefor; however, the Director of Law shall not be required to serve as legal counsel for a school district by virtue of his or her office as Director of Law. The Director of Law may also engage in the private practice of law and he or she may hold other public or private employment.
(C) The Director of Law shall be the legal advisor, prosecuting attorney and counsel for the Municipality, and, subject to the direction of Council, shall represent the Municipality in all proceedings in Court or before any administrative board or body. The Director of Law shall perform all other powers, duties and functions now or hereafter imposed on City Directors of Law under the laws of Ohio; and shall perform other powers, duties and functions as required by this Charter, by ordinance or resolution, or as directed by the Mayor.
(D) The Council may provide for assistants and special counsel to the Director of Law. All assistants shall be appointed by the Director of Law. The assistants shall be responsible to the Director of Law and when authorized, may exercise all or any part of the powers, duties and functions granted to the Director of Law under this Section. Special Council may be employed by Council or the Director of Law to perform powers, duties and functions authorized by and in the manner provided by Council.
(Amended November 8, 2005.)
(Amended November 8, 2005.)