Andrew P. Blake
City Attorney

Stacey A. Dodson
City Clerk/HR Representative
City Attorney's Office
312 S. Mildred Street
Ranson, West Virginia 25438
Phone: (304) 724-3872

The City Attorney's Office provides advice to and represents the City as a corporate entity, its City Council, the City Manager, the Chief of Police, the Planning Commission and all City departments and employees.

The City Attorney's Office is not allowed to give advice about personal or private legal problems of citizens, but can answer legal questions related to City activities, including interpretation of the City Code. The office drafts resolutions and ordinances for City Council consideration, drafts and reviews contracts, issues opinions on zoning, procurement, and personnel matters, and responds to inquiries under the Freedom of Information Act. It also handles certain types of litigation, risk management and real estate matters.

The City Attorney's Office has three primary roles:

Litigation - The City Attorney's Office is responsible for the defense of the City, its officers and employees against all claims, actions, suits, prosecutions and other proceedings brought against them. The Office is also responsible for bringing legal actions on behalf of the City of Ranson.

Business and Regulations - The City Attorney's Office functions in the traditional general counsel role offering opinions, reviewing contracts and proposed legislation as to form and advising the various departments of city government as requested by those departments.

Prosecution- The City Attorney's Office, or designee selected by the City Attorney, is the prosecuting agency of the Municipal Court. The Office shall prosecute all cases brought before such court.