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Responsibilities of the Corporation Counsel
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Responsibilities of the Corporation Counsel's Office
 
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Responsibilities of the Corporation Counsel's Office

Thursday, May 23, 2013
 

•Research, Review and Draft Legislation for the Rome Common Council and Board of Estimate and Contract (Corporation Counsel is a voting member of the Board of Estimate and Contract).

•Act as Counsel and staff meetings for Common Council, Board of Estimate and Contract, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Neighborhood Improvement Program, Taxi Cab Committee, Records Retention Committee and Plumbing Board.

•Represent and Defend the City against Claims, Litigation and Tax Certiorari cases. Such defense includes, but is not limited to: 50-h hearings, Examinations Before Trial, Discovery, writing Memoranda of Law, arguing Motions and Appeals before New York and Federal courts and Jury and Non-Jury Trials. Subject matter of litigation actions includes, but is not limited to: Civil Rights actions pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1983, Article 78 proceedings against the Common Council and/or any other City Agency or Board, Negligence, Personal Injury, Employment issues, and Property Damage claims. Also commence Brownfield Remediation Actions, Demolition Orders and Foreclosure Actions in State Supreme Court and Eviction and Collection Actions in Rome City Court as needed.

•Review and Certify all City Contracts. Research, Draft and Negotiate Contracts, including City Franchise Agreements, as needed.

•Handle Employment matters in conjunction with the Administrative Services Office including, but not limited to, Negotiations with the City’s five Unions, Grievance and Arbitration hearings, including hearings before the Public Employment Relations Board and State Courts.

•Prosecute violations of the Rome Code of Ordinances, State Housing Code, Animal Control, Zoning Code and Parking Infractions in Rome City Court and/or State Supreme Court. Also, attend hearings and commence actions with respect to the City’s Public Nuisance Abatement Law.

•Real Property Committee: meet with constituents, evaluate proposals, prepare Rehabilitation Agreements and terms of City auctions, prepare and file necessary paperwork to both obtain City tax deeds and to transfer City tax deeds to prospective buyers.

•Attorneys are members of City’s Real Property Committee, Accident Investigation and Safety Committee, and Capitol Improvements Committee.

•Advise and research legal issues for the Mayor, Common Council, Board of Estimate and Contract, Department Heads and employees.

•Review and Research Freedom of Information Requests and Subpoenas.

•Monitor and Implement City’s Liability Insurance Coverage, including motor vehicle and property coverage.



Contact Information
198 N Washington Street
Rome, NY 13440
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Timothy Benedict
Corporation Counsel
Phone: (315) 339-7668
 Email Contact
Gerard Feeney
First Assistant Corporation Counsel
Phone: (315) 339-7672
 Email Contact
Mary Jane Lewis
Confidential Legal Secretary
Phone: (315) 339-1715
 Email Contact
Dana Chirillo
Confidential Legal Secretary
Phone: (315) 339-7671
 Email Contact
Steven Huntzinger
Assistant Corporation Counsel
Phone: (315) 339-7669
 Email Contact