ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

Pursuant to the Revised Statute of Missouri §79.230 the mayor, with the consent and approval of the majority of the members of the board of aldermen, shall have power to appoint a treasurer, city attorney, city assessor, street commissioner and night watchman, and such other officers as he may be authorized by ordinance to appoint, and if deemed for the best interests of the city, the mayor and board of aldermen may, by ordinance, employ special counsel to represent the city, either in a case of a vacancy in the office of city attorney or to assist the city attorney, and pay reasonable compensation therefor, and the person elected marshal may be appointed to and hold the office of street commissioner.

Furthermore, the City Attorney shall be an attorney-at-law entitled to practice in the courts of the State of Missouri, shall be appointed by the city council, shall receive such compensation as the council may determine. The City Attorney shall direct the management, under the supervision of the City Council, of all litigation in which the city is a party, including the function of prosecuting attorney in the city court when it is necessary; he or she shall represent the city in all legal matters and proceedings in which the city is a party or interested; attend all meetings of the City Council, advise the council, its members and committees, office and department leads as to all legal questions affecting the city's interest, and shall approve as to form all contracts, deeds, bonds, ordinances, resolutions and other documents to be signed in the name of or made by or with the city. Except as otherwise directed, he shall have full charge of all legal proceedings in which the city is a party.