Law Department

Mission Statement:

It is the mission of the Law Department to provide the Mayor, the City Council, and all departments and boards of the City with sound, objective, and unbiased legal advice to enable each officer or department to function efficiently and effectively within the bounds of the law and to advance the interests of the City and its residents.

Under the City’s Home Rule Charter, the Law Department is an administrative department of the City and is headed by the City Solicitor.  The City Solicitor is appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the majority of the City Council.  The City Solicitor serves as the legal advisor to the Mayor, the City Council, and all other departments, offices and agencies of the City.  In addition, the City Solicitor decides all questions and controversies related to the interpretation and or construction of the Home Rule Charter and ordinances of the City.

The City Solicitor represents the City in all litigation in both state and federal court as well as any action before any state or federal agency.  The law department also oversees, manages, and monitors the actions of other private counsel retained by the City to assist in various matters, including the prosecuting attorney for the Woonsocket Police Department.
 

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