Brook Park, Ohio- Law Department

Law Director Neal M. Jamison heads the Brook Park Law Department. His staff includes Administrative Assistant Kate Schmidt, Assistant Law Director and Berea Prosecutor, Bruce Courey, and Assistant Law Director and Brook Park Mayor�s Court Prosecutor Dale Short. Pursuant to the Charter of the City of Brook Park, �the Director of Law shall serve the Mayor, the Council, the administrative officers and departments, and the commissions and boards of the City as legal counsel, and shall represent the City in all proceedings in court or before any administrative body. He shall act as the prosecuting attorney for the City. He shall perform all other duties now or hereafter imposed upon city solicitors by the general laws of Ohio, unless otherwise provided by ordinance or resolution of the Council, and he shall perform such other duties as may be required by this Charter and/or as the Council or the Mayor may impose upon him- consistent with his office.�
One of the main functions of the Law Department is to prepare and/or oversee all legislation presented to the City Council from every City Department. In addition, the Law Director provides daily advice and legal opinions to the Mayor, City Administration and City Council; represents the City in litigation matters and prosecutions; assists insurance defense counsel with litigation; reviews and approves all City contracts; and monitors new developments in the law.

From the Newsletter

SMALL CLAIMS COURT
The Law Department often receives inquiries about property or financial disputes a resident
might have with another individual or company. We always advise our residents that you should consult with your own attorney if you have any questions or concerns about your rights or remedies in those types of situations. One potential way to resolve smaller financial disputes is to submit them to Small Claims Court. Small Claims Court is a division of each
municipal and county court in the State of Ohio. It provides a quick, informal and inexpensive
way of resolving many types of disputes a person may have with particular individuals or companies. These proceedings are usually conducted by a magistrate, instead of a judge. You are permitted, but are not required, to be represented by an attorney. If you own or are involved with a corporation that chooses to appear in Small Claims Court, then that corporation may not be represented by an officer of the corporation or a salaried employee. Only attorneys can provide legal representation to corporations. Generally, you must file your complaint in the Small Claims Court where the person or company you wish to sue resides or where the transaction in issue took place. If the person or company you wish to sue is located in the City of Brook Park, then the Small Claims Court in the Berea Municipal Court would have jurisdiction to hear that case.
The type of complaints that you can take to Small Claims Court include most consumer disputes such as repair problems, breach of warranty, defective products, undelivered goods, insurance claims and damage to property caused by movers, cleaners and other individuals. Small Claims Courts handle most civil actions where the claim is for money only. There is a limitation however, to the types of cases that the Small Claims Court can hear. Small Claims Court can only hear civil actions for the recovery of money in the amount of
$3,000.00 or less. Certain disputes like those involving libel, slander and actions seeking punitive damages are not within the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court. You can begin proceedings by visiting the Small Claims Court that has jurisdiction and asking them for the complaint form. After completing the complaint form you will have to pay a filing fee. The filing fees vary from one court to the other. If you win your case, the court may order the defendant
to reimburse you for these filing fees. After you complete the complaint form and have paid the filing fee the case will then be set for trial. On the day of trial you should be prepared to go forward and present the evidence that you think that you need to prove your case. At the
trial you should be organized and tell your story in the order in which the events occurred. It is
important that you stick to the facts of that case. You should bring with you all the materials that you think will support your case, such as receipts, bills, canceled checks, warranties and any other evidence relevant to your dispute. Witnesses may testify for you at the trial and at your request, the court will issue subpoenas to compel their attendance.
For additional information, contact the Berea Municipal Court and ask for the Small Claims
division.