Quick links: The Missouri Bar, Jackson County Courthouse, American Bar Association, Municipal Court
Mission Statement
| WE ARE: |
Knowledgeable, Thoughtful, and Reliable |
| WE VALUE: |
Confidence, Competence, and Excellence |
| WE DELIVER: |
Honest and Timely Advice and Representation |
| WE STAND FOR: |
Integrity, Dedication, Responsiveness, Accountability, and Teamwork |
Summary
Civil Division
Teresa S. Williams, City Attorney
John L. Mautino, Deputy City Attorney
Trevor L. Stiles, Assistant City Attorney
Amber Arbuckle, Paralegal
Colleen M. Fetz, Legal Records Coordinator
Julie A. Gilman, Receptionist
The Law Department is divided into two divisions: Civil and Prosecution. The Department's personnel consist of the City Attorney, two Assistant City Attorneys, one Legal Assistant, one Paralegal, and a part-time Receptionist for the Civil Division, and two ful-time Prosecutors, a Legal Assistant, and a Secretary for the Prosecution Division. By the City Charter, the City Attorney supervises and directs the Law Department.
The Civil Division provides legal advice and counsel to the Mayor, City Council, appointed officials, and City staff on the full range of legal issues which confront the City of Lee's Summit. The City Attorney or his/her designee attends all City Council meetings and other board and committee meetings as necessary or upon request to provide legal guidance. In addition, the Civil Division attorneys regularly:
- confer and work with the City Manager, Department Directors and City staff to develop strategies for resolving legal issues;
- respond to lawsuits against the City;
- review and approve contracts and other legal documents prior to consideration by the City Council;
- draft ordinances, contracts, resolutions, conveyances and other legal documents;
- monitor and coordinate all litigation files with outside legal counsel;
- research, prepare memoranda and provide advice on various legal issues such as economic development, employment, real estate, environmental, procurement, contract compliance, planning and zoning, open records and meetings, local government liability and numerous constitutional matters;
- review current case law and legislative enactments to evaluate potential impact on the City; and
- work with City departments to collect on past due accounts.
Prosecution Division
Rachel Brown, Prosecuting Attorney
Virgina Thomas, Legal Assistant
Judy Mallen, Secretary
The Prosecution Division is responsible for prosecuting city ordinance violations in the City's Municipal Court and trials de novo, appeals, and jury trials in the Circuit Court of Jackson County. The ordinance violations range from routine traffic offenses to domestic violence offenses and include nuisance and animal control violations. The Prosecution Division also enforces the City's Fire Code, Building Code, and Zoning Regulations. The Prosecutors also advise police and other enforcement staff on the preparation and presentation of cases in court, as well as issues related to the Open Records laws.
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