Office of the County Attorney

Fulton County

Office of the County Attorney

Office of the County Attorney

The Office of the County Attorney  oversees an extensive litigation practice which includes employment, catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, governmental contract, taxation, tax sales, tax assessment, zoning, land use, environmental, construction, constitutional, First Amendment, Section 1983, and bankruptcy matters and extensive motion and appellate practice.   

The Office of the  County Attorney performs other important functions such as preparing legislation and resolutions for the Board of Commissioners; researching and preparing legal opinions interpreting local, state, and federal laws for Fulton County officials; and negotiating contracts for major development projects. The Office of the County Attorney also oversees a great variety of property and tax matters.

The Office of the County Attorney employs 22 full time attorneys,  and is  one of the most innovative public law offices in the State of Georgia.  

PRACTICE AREAS

The Office of the County Attorney is one of the most innovative public law offices in the State of Georgia.  Attorneys are assigned to one of eight divisions which concentrate on the following practice areas:

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practice areas

courtsĀ (Juvenile, Probate, State, and Superior)

The attorneys assigned to the Courts (Juvenile, Probate, State, and Superior) provide representation regarding all legal matters to Fulton County’s department heads who work within the Courts.  They also provide advice on public business and day-to-day operational and administrative matters concerning the Courts (Juvenile, Probate, State, and Superior).

Environment and Infrastructure

The attorneys assigned to the Environment & Infrastructure Division provide representation and legal support to the following departments: Zoning, Environment & Community Development, Land Department, Cooperative Extension, Airport, Parks & Recreation, Economic Developmentto the General Services Department and the Public Works Department. The attorneys defend the County, departmental officials and employees in state and federal courts, and advise and consult on day-to-day operational and administrative matters, including, but not limited to, contract negotiation, personnel matters and drafting ordinances, regulations and resolutions

Facilities and Transportation

The attorneys assigned to the Facilities and Transportation Department provides legal representative, advice, and defends the Facilities and Transportation department heads in state and federal litigation, including but not limited to, contract negotiation, personnel matters, etc.  The Facilities and Transportation Department s is also responsible for the management of all County owned or leased fleet vehicles. The Facilities and Transportation Department also serves the public by providing a transportation system and services that emphasize safety, quality, effectiveness, economic vitality and sensitivity to the environment. 

Finance, Information Technology and Taxation

The attorneys assigned to the Finance, Information Technology, and Taxation Division provide representation to a number of Fulton County offices and departments including: Purchasing, Tax Assessor, Tax Commissioner, Information Technology, and Registration and Elections and Contract Compliance. The attorneys defend the County, departmental officials and employees in state and federal litigation involving purchasing, construction, and tax issues. They also advise and consult on day-to-day operational and administrative matters, involving bonding, revenue and budgetary issues, negotiate contracts, provide advice in personnel matters and draft ordinances, regulations and resolutions.

Personnel and Human Resources

The attorneys assigned to the Personnel and Human Resources Division provide representation to a number of Fulton County offices and departments including: Personnel, Human Services, Atlanta-Fulton County Library System, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Arts Council, Health and Wellness, Ryan White Program, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases, Medical Examiner, and Animal Control. The Personnel Division also assists in providing representation to the County's District Attorney, Public Defender, Solicitor, Juvenile Court, and the Fulton County Superior and State Courts. The attorneys defend the County, departmental officials and employees in state and federal employment discrimination litigation, as well as advise and consult on day-to-day operational and administrative matters, including, but not limited to, reviewing contract for services, negotiating contracts, providing advice in personnel matters and drafting and interpreting ordinances, regulations and resolutions.

Public Safety

The attorneys assigned to the Public Safety Division provide representation to the County's Chaplain Office, Marshal's Department, Fire Department, Police Department and Sheriff's Office. They also provide representation to the Fulton County Department of Emergency Services (911). The attorneys defend the County, departmental officials and employees in state and federal litigation, and advise and consult on day-to-day operational and administrative matters, including, but not limited to, interpreting local, state, and federal law, negotiating contracts, advising on personnel matters and drafting ordinances, regulations and resolutions.

Risk Management and Revenue Enhancement

The attorneys assigned to the Risk Management and Revenue Enhancement (RM & RE) Division provide legal representation and support to the Risk Management Department, the Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s Office, Fulton County Sheriff’s Finance Team, and the Fulton County Marshal as it relates to the levy, sale, and enforcement of tax executions/liens.  The attorneys in the RM&RE Division represent the various offices and departments in the disbursement of excess funds for both In Rem and non-judicial tax sales. They also handle inter-pleaders and investigate, evaluate, and respond to claims received by Fulton County or its personnel.

Water Resources

The Department of Water Resources provide systematic planning, construction, maintenance and operation of the transportation, water and wastewater infrastructure in Fulton County. The Department of Water Resources delivers reliable, efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly services for the benefit of all Fulton County citizens. The Department seeks to protect the health, safety and welfare of Fulton County's citizens through sound management of the County’s infrastructure, by providing high quality and cost efficient services that comply with federal, state, and county regulatory requirements.