Department Responsibilities
The director of law serves as chief legal counsel for the municipal government, including the municipal hospital.  In that capacity, s/he advises and represents the mayor, the city council, the hospital board of governors, and the various city boards and commissions.  The law director prepares and/or reviews contracts to which the city government or the hospital are parties; prepares and/or reviews legislative proposals for the city council; prepares or assists in the preparation of policy proposals and supporting documents; prepares legal opinions for the various city and hospital offices; and represents the city and the hospital in judicial and administrative proceedings, including labor negotiations and employment matters.

 

The director of law is also responsible for the prosecution of city ordinance violations.  Since 1976, this responsibility has been handled by contract with the Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney. In addition to the foregoing legal duties, the director of law serves as a member ex officio of the city’s traffic commission, the insurance claims board and the moral claims board.  S/he also acts as legal counsel for the Wooster Growth Corporation, the city’s community improvement corporation.

	The Charter of the City of Wooster provides that the director of law shall be an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of Ohio, and that s/he shall have been actively engaged therein for at least five (5) years preceding his/her appointment.  The director of law is appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of a majority of the city council.

 

 

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