Law Director’s Office

Major Responsibilities

  • Legal assistance to City officials
  • Represent the City in litigation
  • Review contracts and legislation
  • Prosecute misdemeanors

The Law Director attends all council and board meetings, as well as special meetings when requested. In addition to the City’s civil work, the Law Director’s office is also responsible for prosecuting all misdemeanor offenses in Zanesville Municipal Court. 

Code

Under the Ohio Revised Code, the Law Director is the civil attorney for all of the following:

  • City Administration
  • City Boards
  • City Council
  • City Departments
  • Zanesville City School District

David J. Tarbert

David Tarbert has served as the Law Director for the City of Zanesville since his election to the position in 2016. Prior to that he served the City as 5th Ward Councilman for nineteen years. 

The Director of Law is an elected position established by the Ohio Revised Code. The Law Director is the head of the Legal Department which represents and advises the City in all civil, criminal, and administrative law matters; prosecutes criminal cases in the Zanesville Municipal Court; and performs such other duties as may be required by the laws of Ohio, City Ordinances, and at the direction of the Mayor and City Council.

The Law Director’s Office prepares all contracts, leases and other instruments on behalf of the City and endorses on each his approval of the form and correctness thereof. The office also gives oral or written opinions to elected city officials, department heads, supervisors, commissions, boards, safety forces, and the Zanesville Municipal Court concerning any matter before such official or board in his or its official capacity. Additionally, the Civil Division reviews all council legislation and handles, directly or with retained counsel, all civil lawsuits involving the City.

The Criminal Division prosecutes all adult misdemeanor criminal and traffic offenses, which occur within the City’s limits. 

The Law Director’s Office is also served by two Assistant Law Directors. Emily Strang Tarbert serves as the primary criminal prosecutor for the City, while Scott Eickelberger provides real estate and litigation support.