The goal of the Legal Department is to provide professional legal services on a timely basis and in a responsive manner to all clients - the City of Gadsden, the governing body, elected officials, directors, and employees, and to communicate in a professional manner with the public.

The City of Gadsden Legal Department provides a broad range of legal services to the City of Gadsden, The Industrial Development Board of the City of Gadsden, Etowah Gadsden Health Care Authority and the Gadsden Airport Authority.

The Legal Department provides legal advice and consultation to city officials, employees, boards and agencies. The City Attorney represents the city in litigation and provides legal advice and representation to the elected officials and all city departments. The Legal Department drafts ordinances and resolutions for the City Council, as well as contracts and property transactions involving city-owned property.

The Department consists of one full-time attorney and two full-time legal secretaries. Outside private legal counsel are retained to defend claims and suits against the City when there is a conflict or additional expertise is needed.  Worker’s compensation matters are handled by outside attorneys through the Department of Risk Management.

The City employs two outside attorneys to prosecute misdemeanor and traffic violations in Gadsden Municipal Court and on appeals in Etowah County Circuit Court, as well as to the state appellate courts in Montgomery.  From time to time the City retains other attorneys to assist in criminal prosecutions. The Legal Department does not prosecute felonies and violations issued by a deputy sheriff or state trooper. Those prosecutions are handled by the Etowah County District Attorney, whose office is located in the Etowah County Judicial Building, 801 Forrest Avenue, 549-5362.

The attorneys in the Legal Department are prohibited from providing legal services or advice to private individuals.