Legal

The Legal Department is responsible for advising City Council, Boards, Commissions, and staff on legal issues pertaining to City Ordinances, policies, rights and duties, and state and federal laws.

The Legal Department prosecutes and defends and oversees lawsuits and claims involving the City's interests in court and before administrative agencies. These suits and claims include Land Use Enforcement matters, the enforcement of City Ordinances, appeals from City Council or Board decisions, and other types of legal actions. The Legal Department also handles matters involving federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Aviation Administration, and matters involving state agencies such as the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Maine Human Rights Commission.

The City Solicitor and Assistant City Solicitor draft and review legal documents such as contracts, leases, deeds and liens to which the City is a party. The Department also drafts proposed City ordinances, orders, and resolves.

The City Solicitor and Assistant City Solicitor do all and every professional action which may be required of them by the city government, or any special committee thereof, or any ordinance, resolve or order of the Council.