Town Attorney

The Town Attorney is the chief legal officer of the Town and serves as head of the Town's Legal Department. The principal function of the Town Attorney is to advise the Town Board, Department Heads and other officers of the town with regard to the functions and legal incidents relating to the duties of their respective offices. In addition, the Town Attorney:

• Advises the Town Board as to the legal implications of contemplated policy, actions and administrative decisions;
• Advises and assists Town departments, boards and commissions in the execution of their duties;
• Conducts legal research and provides legal advice and opinions to the Town Board, Town Supervisor, department heads, boards and commissions;
• Assists with the development of and drafts proposed legislation, rules, regulations and policies for Town programs and operations;
• Reviews and comments on legislation, rules and regulations of other governmental agencies which may affect the Town;
• Reviews and comments on legislative proposals submitted by other outside entities, individuals and special interest groups;
• Negotiates, drafts and reviews agreements, contracts, bid documents, deeds, easements, and other legal instruments for Town transactions;
• Pursues the collection of delinquent real property taxes through In Rem foreclosure proceedings;
• Prosecutes criminal and civil actions arising out of violations of Town ordinances;
• Defends, supervises and coordinates the defense of actions and proceedings against the Town, its officers, boards and commissions in any action brought against it or them in their official capacities in all levels of court-- State, Federal and Town; and
• Coordinates with the Town's insurance carriers and their attorneys in defense of the Town against tort claims.

In meeting the legal needs of the Town, the Town Attorney is assisted by a legal assistant and a part-time Town Prosecutor. In addition, pursuant to the authority conferred under Section 20, subd. 2(a), of New York State's Town Law, the Town Board has contracted with outside law firms to act as special counsel to the Town Attorney with respect to specialized subject matters (e.g., Labor Relations and Municipal Finance), proceedings (e.g., Tax Certiorari) and litigation.

The Legal Department does not render legal services to private citizens or the public at large. Persons in need of legal advice or services should consult with a private attorney or one of the following agencies:

Westchester County Bar Association
Lawyer Referral and Information Service
One North Broadway, Suite 512
White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: 914-761-5151

New York State Bar Association
Legal Referral Service
One Elk Street
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 463-3200
Fax: (518) 487-5517

Association of the Bar of the City of New York
Legal Referral Service
42 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 626-7373

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
4 Cromwell Place
White Plains, New York 10601
Phone: 1-877-574-8529 or 914-949-1305

The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County
One North Broadway
White Plains, New York 10601
Phone: 914-286-3400 (Criminal Division)
Phone: 914-286-3426 (Civil Division)