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The Department of Law is created in Article 8, Chapter 6, of the Metropolitan Charter. The responsibilities of the Department are organized into three areas: legal services, claims, and insurance. The powers and duties of the Department as set out in the Charter or by ordinance are:

• Supervise, direct and control all the law work of the Metropolitan Government;
• Furnish legal advice to the Mayor, the Council, all officers, departments, boards and commissions concerning matters related to their official powers and duties;
• Represent the Metropolitan Government in all litigation;
• Collect all debts, taxes, and accounts due the government;
• Prepare or approve all written instruments including contracts, bonds, deeds, and leases;
• Prepare or assist with the preparation of any proposed ordinance upon request of the mayor or any member of the council;
• Investigate and handle all claims, and
• Handle all insurance.

Metropolitan Government is self-insured for most potential losses. Therefore, the Department's work may include the review and settlement of a small claim and extend to complicated litigation carried through an entire appellate procedure. The great majority of the Department’s work, both litigation and client services, is handled in-house.  On occasion, outside attorneys with a particular expertise are engaged to assist the Department’s attorneys.  During 2007 the Department received over 230 new litigation matters, more than 470 new Administrative Hearings, over 1,600 new contracts for review or preparation, and more than 780 new requests for client advice. The Claims Division received over 1600 new claims for review. At present, there are 31 attorneys, an insurance manager, a claims manager and 3 claims representatives who are responsible for the performance of these duties. They are assisted by paralegals and other administrative staff. The staff is in 3 locations at present: Suite 108 of the Historic Courthouse and in the 222 Building and the Trial Lawyers Building on Third Avenue North. Our offices are open from 8 AM until 5 PM. All our staff may be reached by e-mail and those addresses are provided.