Columbia City Counselor; Appointment, Qualifications, Duties ordinance (Charter § 65)

There shall be a department of law, the director of which shall be known as the city counselor. The city counselor shall be appointed by the city manager by and with the consent of the council, and may only be removed by the city manager with the advice and consent of the council. The city counselor shall have been a duly licensed attorney of the State of Missouri for at least three (3) years immediately prior to appointment, and shall have been actively engaged in the practice of law during such three (3) years. The city counselor shall direct the management of all litigation in which the city is a party or is interested. The city counselor shall, in person, or by assistant counselors, represent the city in all legal matters and proceedings in which the city is a party or interested, advise the council or any committee or member thereof, and the city manager and heads of all departments, boards, commissions and offices concerning any legal questions affecting the city's interest. The city counselor or the city counselor's assistants, shall approve, as to form, all contracts, deeds, bonds and other documents to be signed in the name of or made to or with the city. The city counselor and the city counselor's assistants shall perform such other duties as the council may by ordinance or resolution require. The city counselor shall, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the personnel department, appoint such number of assistant city counselors as may be authorized by ordinance. One or more of said assistant city counselors as may be designated by the city counselor, shall represent the city in all cases brought before the municipal court, and do and perform such other legal duties as may be assigned by the city counselor from time to time. Said assistant city counselors shall be duly licensed attorneys of the State of Missouri. Said assistant city counselors may be removed by the city counselor with the advice and consent of the city manager.

(4-4-67; Ord. No. 15113, § 1, 1-16-97)