The General Counsel Division provides legal opinions, advice and counsel to County elected officials, officers, boards, agencies and departments on all County operations. The General Counsel Division reviews, drafts and/or negotiates contracts, licenses, permits, leases and various other agreements and documents on behalf of the County, with federal, state and local governments, contractors and consultants, covering a diverse range of matters. The Division also reviews or assists in the preparation of bids and requests for proposals and other procurement documents for the County. The General Counsel Division also reviews or drafts legislation (local laws and resolutions) to be submitted to the Erie County Legislature. This Division often acts as legal counsel for a project team consisting of key County personnel who have been assigned to carry out a particular project for the County. This Division also provides technical support to the Litigation Division in lawsuits, administrative proceedings and arbitrations. The Division provides its County clients with proactive services, such as reviewing projects either before they are undertaken or in their infancy to identify and address potential legal impediments or constraints before significant resources are expended.
The primary goal of the General Counsel Division is to provide thorough, timely and effective legal counsel to the County Executive, the County Legislature, elected officials and all departments, divisions and other administrative units of the County. It is also the goal of the General Counsel Division to provide prompt contract negotiation, preparation and review that incorporates risk analysis to the County Executive, the County Legislature, and all departments, divisions and other administrative units of the County. It is also the goal of General Counsel Division, to create and maintain uniformity in transactions on behalf of the County in an effort to increase efficiency and decrease the County’s exposure to liability. The General Counsel Division also strives to insure improved collection of unpaid real property taxes and maximizes the return on the sale of property through tax foreclosure.