West Union seeks village solicitor for broad legal and development role

The updated notice, last changed Monday, June 22, 2026 at 6:38 p.m., says West Union is looking for a village solicitor. It says the solicitor will serve as chief legal adviser to the mayor, village council, village administrator if applicable, boards, commissions, departments and other officials.

West Union had 3,004 residents in the 2020 Census, and Adams County had 27,477.

The solicitor would advise on Ohio Revised Code compliance, open meetings requirements, public records law, ethics questions, zoning, municipal law, personnel issues and risk management. The job would also include drafting and reviewing ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, easements, development agreements, employment agreements and other legal documents.

Section 705.11 of the Ohio Revised Code makes the village solicitor the legal adviser and attorney for the municipal corporation and its officers in matters tied to official duties. Another provision makes the village solicitor or other chief legal officer responsible for prosecuting criminal cases before the municipal court for offenses that occur within the village.

The position includes prosecuting misdemeanor offenses and ordinance violations, reviewing criminal complaints and coordinating with law enforcement agencies. It also covers civil litigation, administrative proceedings and other matters before courts and government agencies.

The solicitor would assist with public improvement projects, utility matters, real estate transactions, annexations and land-use issues. West Union council materials include a 2025 ordinance adopting the Ohio Basic Code and another opposing an AT&T tariff application.

The village requires applicants to be licensed and in good standing to practice law in Ohio and to know municipal law, public records law, open meetings law, zoning law, employment law and general government operations. Applicants also must maintain the professional liability insurance the village requires, and the village gives preference to attorneys with experience representing municipalities, counties, townships, special districts or other public entities.

West Union has Thomas Lee Mayes and McConn & Cutrell, LLC appointed as village solicitor for January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026 at $155 an hour. Council minutes from Nov. 26, 2024 list the new contract as matching the prior one except for the higher hourly rate, and the village magistrate’s court schedule was reduced from twice a month to once every three weeks.