Office of the Charlottesville City Attorney: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:CityOfCharlottesvilleSeal.jpg|right|250px| Seal of the City of Charlottesville]]
The '''Office of the City Attorney''' provides legal advice and representation to the [[City Council]], [[City Manager]], and other city officials and employees. The [[City Attorney]] is appointed by the [[City Manager]], with the advice and consent of the City Council and reports to the [[City Council]] to be the chief legal advisor of the Council, City Manager and all departments, boards, commissions and agencies of the City in all matters affecting the interests of the City.<ref>https://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=1407</ref>
The '''Office of the Charlottesville City Attorney''' provides legal advice and representation to the [[Charlottesville City Council]], [[Charlottesville City Manager]], and all departments, boards, commissions, and agencies of the City on a broad range of issues. The [[Charlottesville City Attorney]] is appointed by and reports to the City Council.  


[[John C. Blair, II]] is the {{as of|2018|08|15|alt=current}}<ref>http://www.nbc29.com/story/38787511/charlottesville-appoints-john-blair-city-attorney</ref> city attorney.
City Council approved [[Jacob Stroman]] to became City Attorney, effective July 1, 2023.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlottesville.gov/directory.aspx?EID=1333|title=Staff Directory|publishdate=March 31, 2024|publisher=City of Charlottesville|accessdate=March 31, 2024}}</ref>


==City attorney==
[[Lisa Robertson]] became City Attorney on [[May 3]], [[2021]] after serving as interim since October 2020. <ref>{{cite-progress|title=City Council takes step toward removal of Confederate statues|url=https://dailyprogress.com/news/city-council-names-lisa-robertson-city-attorney-discusses-future-of-confederate-statues/article_3ac3ad52-ad17-11eb-97ba-cb4a36989b64.html|author=Virginia Bixby|pageno=|printdate=May 4, 2021|publishdate=May 4, 2021|accessdate=May 18, 2021}}</ref>
As of December 1, 2018
==Function==
* [[John C. Blair, II]], Charlottesville City Attorney
The City Attorney's Office gives advice to and represents the City as a corporate entity, its [[City Council]], the [[City Manager]], the [[Airport Authority]], the [[Charlottesville Industrial Development Authority]], the [[Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority]], the [[Planning Commission]], the [[Retirement Commission]], and all City departments and employees.<ref>https://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-attorney-s-office</ref>
==Staff members==
As of December 1, 2018
* [[Lisa Robertson]], Chief Deputy Charlottesville City Attorney
* [[Allyson Manson-Davies]], Deputy Charlottesville City Attorney
* [[Sebastian Waisman]], Assistant Charlottesville City Attorney
* [[Barbara Ronan]], Paralegal
* [[Lisa Miller]], Paralegal


==Legal advice==
===Management===
The City Attorney's Office gives advice to and represents the City as a corporate entity, its [[Charlottesville City Council]], the [[Charlottesville City Manager]], the [[Airport Authority]], the [[Charlottesville Industrial Development Authority]], the [[Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority]], the [[Charlottesville Planning Commission]], the [[Charlottesville Retirement Commission]], and all Charlottesville City departments and employees.<ref> http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-attorney-s-office</ref>
The City Attorney's Office is currently managed and supervised by department head Lisa Robertson, {{as of|2018|08|15|alt=current}}<ref>[http://www.nbc29.com/story/38787511/charlottesville-appoints-john-blair-city-attorney http://www.charlottesville.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=672&ARC=1058]</ref> city attorney.
 
==City attorney's office personnel==
The city manager, with the advice and consent of the city council, appoints the attorney for the city. The city attorney can be removable at any time by the city manager with the concurrence of the city council pursuant to section §6. of the [[City Code]] [https://library.municode.com/va/charlottesville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CO_CH2AD_ARTVCIAT_S2-212SAFUCOSENOENPRPRLA ARTICLE V. - CITY ATTORNEY, Sec. 2-211. - Appointment; qualifications; removal.]
 
===Staff members===
As of October 1, 2021
 
* Lisa Robertson, Charlottesville City Attorney
* Allyson Manson-Davies, Attorney
* Javier Gomez-Jacome, Attorney
* Katrina Callsen, Attorney
* Debra Willard, Legal Assistant
* Ellonde Smith, Legal Assistant


==Responsibilities==
==Responsibilities==
Responsibilities of the City Attorney’s Office include:  
Responsibilities of the City Attorney’s Office include:  
* Drafts resolutions and ordinances for City Council consideration.
 
* Drafts and reviews contracts.
* Draft resolutions and ordinances for City Council consideration.
* Issues opinions on zoning, procurement, and personnel matters.
* Draft and review public contracts.
* Responds to inquiries under the [[Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)]].  
* Issue legal opinions on zoning, real estate, procurement, employment and other matters pertaining to the City's local government services.
* Handles certain types of litigation, risk management and real estate matters.
* Provide advice and training to the City's FOIA Officer, for responses to records requests under the [[Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)]].  
* Advise and represent the City, its officials and employees in litigation and risk management matters.
 
The Office of the City Attorney does not prosecute criminal offenses. Matters involving criminal prosecution for violations of state code, including most misdemeanors and all felony offenses, are handled through the [[Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney]].  
The Office of the City Attorney does not prosecute criminal offenses. Matters involving criminal prosecution for violations of state code, including most misdemeanors and all felony offenses, are handled through the [[Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney]].  


==Citizen advice==
==Citizen advice==
The City Attorney's Office does not provide legal advice to private citizens. The City Attorney's Office only represents the City of Charlottesville, its boards, commissions, agencies, officials, and employees on matters of public business. The Office of the City Attorney can answer legal questions related to City activities, including interpretation of the [[City Code]].<ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-attorney-s-office</ref>
The City Attorney's Office does not provide legal advice to private citizens. The City Attorney's Office only represents the City of Charlottesville, and its various boards, commissions, agencies, officials, and employees on matters of public business. The Office of the City Attorney can answer legal questions related to City activities, including interpretation of the [[City Code]].<ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-attorney-s-office</ref>
 
==Opinions==
 
*June 14, 2021 &ndash; [https://cvillepedia.org/images/2021_06_14_Covenants_and_ZOs.pdf A legal opinion on the use of restrictive covenants]


{{stub}}
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==List of previous city attorneys==
==List of previous city attorneys==
*[[Craig Brown]], November 20, 2012 - August 15, 2018
 
*[[Allyson Davies]], senior deputy city attorney, was appointed acting city attorney by Acting City Manager [[Michael Rogers]] in January 2023 after Lisa Robertson stepped down effective [[December 28]], [[2022]].
*[[Lisa Robertson]], [[May 3]], [[2021]] to [[December 28]], [[2022]]; Lisa Robertson is the first woman to hold the position of Charlottesville City Attorney in Charlottesville's 133-year history; Robertson resigned effective [[December 28]], [[2022]]
*[[Lisa Robertson]], Acting City Attorney, October 2020 to May 2021; Robertson became acting city attorney after Acting [[City Manager]] and [[City Attorney]] [[John Blair]] left the city on [[March 5]], [[2021]] having accepted a position as City Attorney in the [[City of Staunton]].
*[[John Blair]], August 2018 to October 2020; On [[October 1]], [[2020]], city council appointed Blair to replaced outgoing City Manager Dr. [[Tarron Richardson]] who resigned after a 16-month tenure; Deputy City Attorney [[Lisa Robertson]] become acting city attorney.
*Lisa Robertson, Acting City Attorney, March 2018 to August 2018
*[[Craig Brown]], November 20, 2012 to February, 2018
*[[Roger Wiley]]
*[[Roger Wiley]]
*[[Clyde Gouldman]]<ref>{{cite-hook|title=Now what? As the Landmark lies dormant, what's next?|url=http://www.readthehook.com/83360/cover-now-what-landmark-lies-dormant-whats-next|author=Dave McNair & Lindsay Barnes|pageno=|printno=817|printdate=April 30, 2009|publishdate=April 30, 2009|accessdate=November 20, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Clyde Gouldman]]<ref name=":0">{{cite-hook|title=Now what? As the Landmark lies dormant, what's next?|url=http://www.readthehook.com/83360/cover-now-what-landmark-lies-dormant-whats-next|author=Dave McNair & Lindsay Barnes|pageno=|printno=817|printdate=April 30, 2009|publishdate=April 30, 2009|accessdate=November 20, 2012}}</ref>
*[[L.W. Waddell]]<ref>{{cite-progress-lindsay|title=Council Enacts Tax Ordinance|url=http://search.lib.virginia.edu/catalog/uva-lib:2793466/view#openLayer/uva-lib:2793467/2272/1958.5/2/1/0|author=Staff Reports|pageno=|printdate=March 2, 1949|publishdate=March 2, 1949|accessdate=December 10, 2016 from University of Virginia Library}}</ref>
*[[L.W. Waddell]]<ref name=":1">{{cite-progress-lindsay|title=Council Enacts Tax Ordinance|url=http://search.lib.virginia.edu/catalog/uva-lib:2793466/view#openLayer/uva-lib:2793467/2272/1958.5/2/1/0|author=Staff Reports|pageno=|printdate=March 2, 1949|publishdate=March 2, 1949|accessdate=December 10, 2016 from University of Virginia Library}}</ref>
*John S. Battle, jr. (1954)
*[[George Perkins]] (November 18, 1896 to January 1, 1915) <ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uva.x000196692&seq=21&q1=attorney|title=Charlottesville, Va. directory and list of Albemarle County farmers 1914-15|publisher=Richmond, Hill Directory Co.; Hill's Charlottesville (Virginia) city directory|accessdate=April 9, 2024}}</ref>
 
== List of City Attorney (1888–current) ==
Since 1946, the city manager, with the advice and consent of the city council, has appointed an attorney for the city.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!Title
!Term start
!Term end
!Length
!Notes
|-
|Sands Anderson,  .
|Acting City Attorney
|April 15, 2024
|
|
|Sands Anderson, to temporarily serve as acting city attorney while current city attorney, Jacob Stroman, is on leave.
|-
|[[Jacob Stroman]]
|City Attorney
|July 1, 2023
|
|
|<ref name=":3" />
|-
|[[Allyson Davies]]
|Acting City Attorney
|January 2023
|
|
|
|-
|[[Lisa Robertson]]
|City Attorney
|[[May 3]], [[2021]]
|[[December 28]], [[2022]]
|
|
|-
|[[John Blair]]
|City Attorney
|August 2018
|October 2020
|
|
|-
|Lisa Robertson
|Acting City Attorney
|March 2018
|August 2018
|
|
|-
|[[Craig Brown]]
|City Attorney
|November 20, 2012
|February, 2018
|
|
|-
|[[Roger Wiley]]
|City Attorney
|
|
|
|1980
|-
|[[Clyde Gouldman]]
|City Attorney
|
|
|
|1990 - 2000 <ref name=":0" />
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|John S. Battle, jr.
|City Attorney
|
|
|
|1954
|-
|[[L.W. Waddell]]
|City Attorney
|
|
|
|1948 <ref name=":1" />
|-
|[[George Perkins]]
|City Attorney
|November 18, 1896
|January 1, 1915
|
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 22:49, 11 April 2024

The Office of the City Attorney provides legal advice and representation to the City Council, City Manager, and other city officials and employees. The City Attorney is appointed by the City Manager, with the advice and consent of the City Council and reports to the City Council to be the chief legal advisor of the Council, City Manager and all departments, boards, commissions and agencies of the City in all matters affecting the interests of the City.[1]

City Council approved Jacob Stroman to became City Attorney, effective July 1, 2023.[2]

Lisa Robertson became City Attorney on May 3, 2021 after serving as interim since October 2020. [3]

Function

The City Attorney's Office gives advice to and represents the City as a corporate entity, its City Council, the City Manager, the Airport Authority, the Charlottesville Industrial Development Authority, the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Planning Commission, the Retirement Commission, and all City departments and employees.[4]

Management

The City Attorney's Office is currently managed and supervised by department head Lisa Robertson, current[5] city attorney.

City attorney's office personnel

The city manager, with the advice and consent of the city council, appoints the attorney for the city. The city attorney can be removable at any time by the city manager with the concurrence of the city council pursuant to section §6. of the City Code ARTICLE V. - CITY ATTORNEY, Sec. 2-211. - Appointment; qualifications; removal.

Staff members

As of October 1, 2021

  • Lisa Robertson, Charlottesville City Attorney
  • Allyson Manson-Davies, Attorney
  • Javier Gomez-Jacome, Attorney
  • Katrina Callsen, Attorney
  • Debra Willard, Legal Assistant
  • Ellonde Smith, Legal Assistant

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the City Attorney’s Office include:

  • Draft resolutions and ordinances for City Council consideration.
  • Draft and review public contracts.
  • Issue legal opinions on zoning, real estate, procurement, employment and other matters pertaining to the City's local government services.
  • Provide advice and training to the City's FOIA Officer, for responses to records requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
  • Advise and represent the City, its officials and employees in litigation and risk management matters.

The Office of the City Attorney does not prosecute criminal offenses. Matters involving criminal prosecution for violations of state code, including most misdemeanors and all felony offenses, are handled through the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney.

Citizen advice

The City Attorney's Office does not provide legal advice to private citizens. The City Attorney's Office only represents the City of Charlottesville, and its various boards, commissions, agencies, officials, and employees on matters of public business. The Office of the City Attorney can answer legal questions related to City activities, including interpretation of the City Code.[6]

Opinions


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List of previous city attorneys

List of City Attorney (1888–current)

Since 1946, the city manager, with the advice and consent of the city council, has appointed an attorney for the city.

Name Title Term start Term end Length Notes
Sands Anderson, . Acting City Attorney April 15, 2024 Sands Anderson, to temporarily serve as acting city attorney while current city attorney, Jacob Stroman, is on leave.
Jacob Stroman City Attorney July 1, 2023 [2]
Allyson Davies Acting City Attorney January 2023
Lisa Robertson City Attorney May 3, 2021 December 28, 2022
John Blair City Attorney August 2018 October 2020
Lisa Robertson Acting City Attorney March 2018 August 2018
Craig Brown City Attorney November 20, 2012 February, 2018
Roger Wiley City Attorney 1980
Clyde Gouldman City Attorney 1990 - 2000 [7]
John S. Battle, jr. City Attorney 1954
L.W. Waddell City Attorney 1948 [8]
George Perkins City Attorney November 18, 1896 January 1, 1915 [9]

References

  1. ↑ https://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=1407
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Web. Staff Directory, City of Charlottesville, March 31, 2024, retrieved March 31, 2024.
  3. ↑ Web. City Council takes step toward removal of Confederate statues, Virginia Bixby, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, May 4, 2021, retrieved May 18, 2021.
  4. ↑ https://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-attorney-s-office
  5. ↑ http://www.charlottesville.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=672&ARC=1058
  6. ↑ http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-attorney-s-office
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Web. Now what? As the Landmark lies dormant, what's next?, Dave McNair & Lindsay Barnes, The Hook, Better Publications LLC, April 30, 2009, retrieved November 20, 2012. Print. April 30, 2009 , 817, .
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Web. Council Enacts Tax Ordinance, Staff Reports, Daily Progress Digitized Microfilm, Lindsay family, March 2, 1949, retrieved December 10, 2016 from University of Virginia Library.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Web. Charlottesville, Va. directory and list of Albemarle County farmers 1914-15, Richmond, Hill Directory Co.; Hill's Charlottesville (Virginia) city directory, retrieved April 9, 2024.

External Links

Official site

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