Law Department
The Law Department provides counsel and representation to the Mayor, City Council, and all City departments, as well as certain boards and commissions.
The Law Department is...
The City's 4th smallest department with a total FY 2025 budget of $2,957,694.
It accounts for 1.5% of the General Fund.
About the Law Department
The City of Wilmington Law Department (which is often referred to as the City Solicitor's Office) is responsible for providing legal advice to the Mayor, City Council and all City departments, boards and commissions. Examples of work performed by the Law Department include:
- Representing the City, its departments and employees in litigation
- Preparing legislation
- Enforcing the City Code
- Preparing and reviewing all contracts and other written instruments
- Collecting debts and taxes due the City
The Law Department is dedicated to serving the needs of the citizens of the City of Wilmington by providing legal advice and representation to the City's many departments, boards and commissions. However, the staff attorneys of the Law Department cannot advise or represent individual citizens regarding private legal matters.
Year-to-Date Expenditures by Category*
*Move the slider at the bottom of the graph to see budget and prior-year data.
How many people work for the Law Department?
Legislation Drafted by the Law Department Annually
Employment & Labor Administrative Hearings Attended Annually
Housing Code Prosecution Fines Issued by Law Department
Law Department FY 2025 Annual Budget
Total FY 2025 General Fund Budget: $2,957,694
Total FY 2024 General Fund Budget: $2,688,837
Total Increase from FY 2024: $268,857
a
Major Funding Changes from Prior Year:
The Personal Services account group, which includes salaries and benefits, increased by $195,435, largely driven by the mid-FY 2024 implementation of the City’s compensation and classification study recommendations. The implementation of the study resulted in revised salaries and additional anniversary steps.
The Materials, Supplies & Equipment (MS&E) account group increased by $72,089 due to the following changes:
- Legal Charges increased by $45,000 due to higher costs in labor negotiations and real estate transactions, and to support Council with outside legal representation.
- A Temporary Agencies line was created to address staffing vacancies at a cost of $20,000.
- Other noteworthy budget adjustments include a $1,500 increase in Subscriptions/Books, a $1,896 increase in Electronic Legal Research, and a $2,800 increase in the office furniture allocation.
Click here to read more about the Law Department's FY 2025 Budget.
