City Attorney

Organization

The City of Laramie City Attorney's Department is comprised of three full-time attorneys (City Attorney is appointed by the City Council and Assistant City Attorney is hired by the City Manager) and one Legal Assistant (employed by the City Manager).

Mr. Southard performs all services related to civil cases for the City as City Attorney, Ms. Austin-Belaski performs all work related to criminal and traffic cases and Ms. Schluck performs duties as the Wyoming Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor.

Responsibilities & Services

The City of Laramie City Attorney is an appointed position by City Council members for a contractual term. The City Attorney provides various legal advice, largely civil, for City Council, the City Manager and City Officials. By statute and case law, the City Attorney provides written and verbal legal opinions on a wide variety of municipal legal matters. The City Attorney drafts and reviews resolutions, ordinances, contracts, pleadings, bonds, and other legal documents to protect the City's interests as it conducts business. The City Attorney provides advice to the City's various commissions and committees and addresses tax, assessment, labor, collections, public works projects and contracts, and damage to City property questions and issues.

The City Attorney also defends the City and its Officers if sued and the City Attorney would be responsible for the preparation and litigation of lawsuits on the City's behalf. The City Attorney cannot advise members of the general public or City Staff concerning their private legal matters or any legal issue that does not pertain to nor which cannot be affected by common council action. Though some activities of the City Attorney directly affect the public, most involve advice to the governing body and administration who represent and serve the City of Laramie. As the City Attorney is counsel for the City as a governing body, the City Attorney cannot represent or advise the general public of ordinances and laws of the City of Laramie or State of Wyoming.

If the general public has any questions or concerns regarding City of Laramie ordinances and laws as it pertains to advise in a legal matter, it is recommended to contact an attorney. If a member of the general public has any questions or concerns regarding the development of ordinances, they may contact the City Manager or a member of City Council. If a member of the general public has any questions or concerns regarding the development of Wyoming laws, they may contact a Wyoming Legislature Representative.

The Assistant City and Prosecuting Attorney prosecutes Misdemeanor City of Laramie ordinance violations. Criminal or traffic charges issued by the Laramie Police Department or University of Wyoming Police Department will likely be addressed in the City of Laramie Municipal Court.