The City of Strongsville Law Department staff consists of Kenneth A. Kraus, as full-time Law Director; Daniel J. Kolick, Assistant Law Director-Civil; George Lonjak, Assistant Law Director-Criminal (Prosecutor); John Castele, Assistant Prosecutor; and a full-time Legal Secretary.  

Pursuant to the Charter of the City of Strongsville, “the Law Director shall serve the Mayor, the various administrative departments, boards, and officers of the Municipality and the Council, as attorney and legal counsel, and shall represent the Municipality in all proceedings in court or before any administrative body.  He shall act as prosecuting attorney before the Mayor's Court or upon appeals from the decision of the Mayor.  He shall perform all other duties now or hereafter imposed by law upon legal counsel of cities unless otherwise provided by ordinance by Council, and shall perform such other duties as the Council or the Mayor may require 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 virtually 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. 

The Assistant Law Director-Civil is assigned to attend meetings of the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Board of Tax Appeals, and Civil Service Commission.  The Prosecutor and the Assistant Prosecutor attend all Mayor’s Court and Berea Municipal Court proceedings initiated by the City.

Due to legal constraints, the Law Department staff is unable to provide legal advice to residents concerning private legal disputes and any other private matters.

If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact Nancy Sikorski, our Legal Secretary, at 440.580.3145.  However, should you require information regarding traffic citations, entering pleas, or any other matters relating to Mayor's Court, please contact the Mayor's Court directly at 440.580.3155.