The City Attorney provides legal counsel and representation to the City Council, City Manager, departments of the City government and City-appointed boards and commissions. The City Attorney is appointed by and reports to the City Council. The City Attorney's office provides legal advice at Council meetings, performs legal research and offers advisory opinions and responds to requests from Council and City staff to draft or review contracts, ordinances and other legal documents. The office represents the City in litigation and provides assistance in the selection of outside legal counsel when necessary.
The Police Attorney also provides legal advice and interpretation to the City Police Department, and advises and instructs officers on ever-changing laws and court rulings.
The City Attorney's office does not provide legal advice to private citizens. If a private citizen has a legal question, the citizen may wish to consider private legal representation.
City Attorney: Lloyd Ashley "Ash" Smith
704.866.6735
704.866.6735
Assistant City Attorney: Charles L. Graham
704.866.6735
Police Attorney: Laura Burton
704.866.6962
burton_laura@cityofgastonia.com
burton_laura@cityofgastonia.com
Paralegal: Denise Johnson
704.866.6054
Other Legal Resources:
(click links below to visit websites)
(click links below to visit websites)
| Legal Services of the Southern Piedmont | Legal Aid | 704-865-2357 |
| Gaston County District Attorney's Office | Prosecutor | 704-852-3113 |
| Gaston County Magistrate's Office | Warrants | 704-852-3192 |
| Gaston County Clerk of Court | Court Dates | 704-852-3100 |
| Gaston County Public Defender's Office | Court Appointed Lawyers | 704-852-3220 |
| North Carolina Attorney General Consumer Protection Division | Product Safety | 919-716-6000
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