Municipalities and elected officials engage in a wide array of governmental functions that occasionally give rise to conflicts, disagreements, administrative proceedings, and litigation. These disputes occur in a wide range of contexts from internal disputes among public employees to events involving the public in general. Because these controversies frequently involve popular public figures or issues of public or great general interest, they may be widely publicized by the media, leading to heightened public scrutiny of the municipality.
There is no substitute for experience. HCP’s municipal law attorneys represent all sectors of municipal government including elected officials, elected council and board members, police departments, fire departments, service departments, and other public servants. Our attorneys don’t just know the law; some of us serve as elected officials. We know what it is like to be in the media spotlight, and how important it is to maintain the integrity of a public office. We are well-versed in dealing with reporters, neutralizing public hostility, and maintaining a positive public image.
The best way to avoid litigation is to tackle problems head-on as soon as they arise. Our goal is to resolve problems before a lawsuit is filed. But when that cannot be done, we are fully prepared to bring the force of years of experience to bear in litigation. We’ve achieved outstanding results for our clients in cases alleging civil rights violations, excessive force, sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, Sunshine law violations, eminent domain disputes, collective bargaining issues, and automobile accidents. We’ve fought for our clients in forums of every kind including administrative agencies, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and state and federal courts.