ALERT: Subscribe now to #DanburyAlert! LEARN MORE CORPORATION COUNSEL Government / Departments / Corporation Counsel Staff ROBIN L. EDWARDS Assistant Corporation Counsel DIANNE ROSEMARK Assistant Corporation Counsel About Us The Office of the Corporation Counsel manages the entire remarkably broad and complex legal function of the Government of the City of Danbury. The office, comprised of seasoned attorneys highly skilled in municipal law and a variety of other legal disciplines, advises the Mayor, City Council, and all City departments, agencies and boards of their legal rights and responsibilities. There are many occasions when the office also assists visitors or constituents who, without knowledge or experience with the system of local government, arrive at our door seeking help with a problem with a home, road, business or other similar matter that involves city input. Attorney Robert J. Yamin is the Corporation Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of the City of Danbury and Director of Legal Services. He is assisted by Associate Corporation Counsels Dianne E. Yamin and Raymond P. Yamin, as well as the entire Law Firm of Yamin & Yamin LLP. Three expert in-house staff attorneys maintain the office, Managing Attorney and Deputy Corporation Counsel Laszlo L. Pinter, Asst. Corporation Counsel Robin L. Edwards specializing in land use and contracts law, and Asst. Corporation Counsel Dianne E. Rosemark, specializing in labor and FOI law, as well as Legal Secretary, Robin A. Shepard who manages the overall administrative tasks of the offices. In addition to the Corporation Counsel and in-house legal staff, the City often retains specialized outside legal counsel when needed, in cases dealing with such matters as labor relations, and major or complex litigation. Accomplishments In general, the Office of the Corporation Counsel begins its work when it receives requests for legal opinions from its City clients or is apprised of actual or potential legal issues by them. This is followed by a comprehensive review of the law, consultations with affected parties and, finally, issuance of recommendations or opinions regarding the issue at hand. The Office is presently engaged in a number of State directed projects and initiatives that involve major construction, environmental enforcement and compliance, claims, and suits associated therewith, which require substantial time, resources and effort. Beginning in 2017 and going beyond, a massive Waste Water Treatment Plant update and renovation requires contract procurement, financial and bonding review and subsequent legislative enactments such that City residents can be served properly in accordance with State requirements and local processes. Negotiations, consultants and “behind-the-scenes” work are necessary and intensive to accomplish this and similar tasks. The Office continues to aggressively defend corporate and private tax appeal litigation in an effort to hold property values stable and to preserve the City’s strong tax base. We also continue to defend workers compensation and heart and hypertension claims, while at the same time recognizing the need to assist those injured in the line of duty. We defend the City in numerous land use claims and appeals, and other litigation matters, as well as advise our land use departments and agencies regarding important issues safeguarding the rights of property owners through enforcement and other activities. Our most successful stories often derive from the ability of the Office to assist our clients in working collaboratively with businesses. These include and involve instances where businesses seeking to relocate or expand in our City seek information and assistance with incentives, State authorized tax or remedial assistance and other programs so that they may better incorporate themselves into our business and community life and financial strength. The City departments work with such firms and individuals to develop ways in which to maximize their legal and practical entitlements to reach a thriving and successful business platform. We look forward to continuing to approach legal issues and concerns with an eye to not only resolving such issues, but also to improving and supporting the betterment of our entire City and all our residents. To do so, we will continue to advise our clients regarding efforts to protect natural resources, while protecting property rights, and safeguarding public safety, while balancing municipal rights and the public interest. ROBERT YAMIN CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER Phone203-797-4518 LASZLO PINTER DEPUTY Phone203-797-4518 News & EventsEmployment 155 Deer Hill Ave Danbury, CT 06810 203. 797. 4500 © 2021 City of Danbury, CT All Rights Reserved