Special Counsel
Labor Relations - Bond, Schoeneck & King. PLLC
Public Finance - Orrick, Herrington
Tax Certiorari - Wormser, Kiely, Galef & Jacobs
Litigation - Wormser, Kiely, Galef & Jacobs
Town Prosecutor - Douglas Fitzmorris
The Town Attorney is the chief legal officer of the Town and serves as head of the Town's Legal Department. Virtually every phase of government requires legal services, and the Legal Department is on call 24 hours a day to provide those services to the Town. 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 provides the following legal services:
- 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;
- acts as counsel to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board;
- 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;
- coordinates with the Town's insurance carriers and their attorneys in defense of the Town against tort claims; and
- renders written or oral responses to residents and business entities regarding myriad inquiries about legal matters involving the Town or Town laws.
In meeting the legal needs of the Town, the Town Attorney is assisted by two full-time Deputy Town Attorneys, a part-time contract Deputy Town Attorney, who serves as the Town Prosecutor, and a legal secretary. 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) or litigation (e.g., State Equalization/Segmentation Rate).
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:
Lawyer Referral Service of
The Westchester County Bar Association
300 Hamilton Avenue
White Plains, New York 10601
Phone: 914-761-5151
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)
Association of the Bar of the City of New York
LRS & iLawyer Division
42 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
(212)382-6775
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