There shall be a County Attorney, who shall
be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the County Executive.
The County Attorney shall, at the time of his or her appointment and
at all times during his or her term of office, be a qualified elector
of the County. He or she shall also have been duly admitted to the
practice of law in this state and at all times during his or her term
of office and shall devote his or her full working time to the duties
of the office.
The County Attorney shall:
A.
Be the sole legal advisor for the County;
B.
Advise all County officers, departments, agencies
and units in all County legal matters of a civil nature;
C.
Prosecute or defend all actions or proceedings of
a civil nature brought by or against the County;
D.
Prepare all necessary legal papers and instruments
pertaining to the County government, exclusive of the preparation
of local laws, resolutions, legalizing acts or other legislation or
memoranda and opinions in support thereof, which fall within the purview
of the Counsel to the Legislature; and
E.
Have all the powers and perform all the duties conferred
or imposed by law upon a county attorney, except as may be inconsistent
with this Charter, and perform such other and related duties required
by the executive branch of County government.
The County Attorney shall have the power to
appoint Assistant County Attorneys as may be authorized by the County
Legislature. All Assistant County Attorneys shall serve at the pleasure
of the County Attorney.
[Amended 8-14-2012 by L.L. No. 9-2012[1]]
Except as provided in § C-20D, the County Attorney shall have the power to retain special counsel where necessary and within appropriations made therefor by the County Legislature.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law was approved at referendum by
a majority of the duly qualified voters 11-6-2012.
