The Office of Chief Counsel is responsible for providing
legal counsel to the Department on both policy issues and proposed actions
affecting any of its operating Divisions or staff Offices. The Office is also
responsible for the prosecution of all litigation involving the Department in
cooperation with the Attorney General. The Office of Chief Counsel, administers
tort liability claims, property damage claims, uncollectable receivables, and
processes lien and bond claims against contractors. In addition, the Office
coordinates the purchase and service of all insurance policies and administers
the Department's self-insurance program.
a) Legal Services is responsible for advising
other Divisions and Offices within the agency concerning all legal matters;
representing the Department in legally related matters with the Governor's
Office, and other State agencies, Federal and local governmental offices and
the general public. Legal Services reviews the legal aspects of the
Department's legislative programs and reviews new Federal and State
legislation, court decisions, and Attorney General's opinions for the legal
aspects of their effect on Department operations and drafts and negotiates
contracts with outside entities. In conjunction with the Attorney General,
Legal Services directs the Department's position and strategy in all major
judicial and administrative proceedings.
b) The Bureau of Claims represents the
Department in the areas of property claims, third party torts, uncollected
accounts receivable, claims against contractor performance and payment bonds
and liens against public funds, including the processing and pretrial
preparation of actions filed against the Department in the Court of Claims. The
Bureau is responsible for administration of risk management for the Department
including coordination of insurance purchases, management of self-insurance
programs, and approval of indemnity or hold harmless agreements in various
contracts.
