The Legal Department of the City of Dothan Alabama - Rests Solely on the Dothan Commission

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 5422

Posted by: RStokes
Date: Jun 12 2016 10:18 PM

DOTHAN:    When Kenneth Everitt served as Mayor of the City of Dothan, Attorney Herman Cobb served as part time attorney for the City of Dothan.

The appointment of a City Attorney is the responsibility of the Mayor and Commissioners.

Cobb recommended to Mayor Everett and the Commission they appoint a full time attorney to represent Dothan rather than one on contract.

A committee was appointed to draft guidelines, interview and make recommendations for a City Attorney.

The first full time attorney employed by the Mayor and Commission was Brian Dowling. After several years and a chain of events, Dothan and Dowling parted ways.

The second full time attorney employed by the Mayor and Commission was Larry Anderson. He served under former Dothan Mayor Larry Register and Alfred Saliba. Anderson left employment with the City of Dothan and was later appointed as Circuit Judge for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit.

Anderson hired Freddie Len White as an Assistant City Attorney during his tenure. When Anderson left Dothan Mayor Alfred Saliba and the Dothan Commission promoted Freddie Len White to City Attorney.

White has recommended to the Mayor and Commission several people to hire to assist him. Each appointment was that of the Mayor and Commission. The appointments of City Attorney of Assistant City Attorney are not those of the City Manager.

Any person acting as a Dothan City Attorney, in any capacity, a strictly the sole hire and responsibility of the Mayor and Commission.

All department heads within the City of Dothan work directly under the City Manager, with exception of the Dothan Personnel Manager and Dothan City Attorney.

The Personnel Manager works for the Personnel Board and the City Attorney works for the Mayor and Dothan Commission.

Currently Dothan employees three full time Dothan City Attorney's. Those are the Chief City Attorney, Freddie Len White, along with Assistant City Attorney's Kevin Kelley and Joe Herring.

Dothan employs some part time public defenders, each of whom are appointed and approved by the Mayor and Dothan Commissioners.

So any actions or inactions, any civil or criminal liability Dothan is subject to because of any legal representation, the quality of that legal representation rest squarely on the members of the Dothan City Commission.

Below is from the City of Dothan web site in regards to the Legal Department of the City of Dothan:

City Attorney Responsibilities of the City Attorney The city attorney and staff are the primary in-house legal counsel for the City Commission, city manager, and city department heads, providing legal representation on all legal matters involving the city. This encompasses prosecution in municipal courts and civil litigation in state and federal court, furnishing legal opinions to the City Commission, city manager, and departments on legal issues, reviewing and approving legal documents, contracts and other legal instruments, and acting as general advocate for the city's legal interests in claims filed against the city.  Legal Department The legal department of the City of Dothan is comprised of three attorneys and two administrative assistants who are responsible for the proper administration of the legal affairs of the city. The legal department has the supervision and responsibility for the prosecution and defense of all actions and appeals involving the city in all courts, before all boards, commissions, and administrative agencies.  The legal department is responsible for the legal representation of city boards and commissions including, but not limited to, the City of Dothan Planning Commission, City of Dothan Personnel Board, City of Dothan Board of Zoning Adjustment, and City of Dothan Board of Recreation.  The legal department has the supervision and responsibility for the prosecution of all charges of violations of municipal ordinances and regulations in the City of Dothan Municipal Court.  The legal department is responsible for furnishing legal advice, counsel, and assistance to the city governing body, heads of departments and all other city officers in relation to their duties and the business of the city. This includes, but is not limited to, assistance in preparation and review of ordinances, resolutions, policies, deeds, leases, contracts, personnel matters, recommendations for disposition of damage claims against the city, easements, right-of-way procurement, annexation elections, and proposals for state legislation.  Municipal Law Municipal law has changed dramatically over the years evolving into a complex and specialized field of its own. With liability expanding continually for virtually every aspect of governmental operations and compliance and an ever-increasing body of law a necessity, the role of the legal department is important to the City of Dothan's ability to continue to provide effective public service and meet the challenges of the 21st century.

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