p>Prepares and presents arguments at judicial and administrative proceedings and presides at hearings and proceedings, and prepares findings, orders or decisions in an area ranging from employee disciplinary actions, to compliance with statutory regulations, to defense of claims against the City of Buffalo or its related agencies; tries court cases and proceedings at all Federal and State Judicial levels by preparing opening statements and summations, arguing motions, examining witnesses, consulting with parties to the proceeding, examining evidence, preparing briefs, negotiating settlements, preparing appeals and advising superiors; prepares drafts of state and local laws, city and ordinances and council resolutions; submits for review and advises departments on the effects of said legislation; recommends technical corrections and amendments to existing laws; follows-up all legislation introduced on behalf of the City of Buffalo with the Governors Office and legislative leaders for introduction; negotiates and prepares various legal documents, i.e., contracts, deeds and leases with outside parties; reviews documents for legal sufficiency; prepares legal documents, i.e., contracts, agreements, mortgages, and other legal instruments; prepares the necessary legal papers to enforce laws, rules, and regulations for services rendered by departments and reviews claims and approves payments; determines violations of laws, rules, etc. or is advised of such violations; prepares appropriate legal documents to enforce laws, rules, etc; processes court orders and prepares and presents cases at proceedings concerning such actions; evaluates and negotiates amount of settlements with parties concerned; performs other and above legal services as deemed necessary by the Corporation Counsel/Senior Deputy Corporation Counsel. Acts as Assistant General Counsel for a large city department, board, authority or a group of smaller such entities; provides legal advice and opinions to staff, complainants and others in connection with the activities and services provided by said departments; conducts legal research of statutes, decisions, opinions and other legal sources in order to respond, both orally and in writing, to requests for legal decisions and opinions; researches requests and inquiries from department staff and prepares legal decisions and opinions and consults with department personnel regularly; interprets pertinent laws, rules, regulations, procedures, etc.