Law

Overview

The Law Department represents the City of Youngstown on all legal issues and acts as Counsel to all other departments within the City of Youngstown. It also encompasses a number of activities and is directly involved in civil litigation, union/management labor negotiations and arbitration procedures, legislative functions, risk management and dispute resolution processes.

Attorney Iris Guglucello is the Law Director. The Law Department includes the Prosecutor’s Office and Risk Management Office and has a total of 13 employees.

The Law Department and Prosecutor’s Office are located on the fourth floor of City Hall while Risk Management is stationed on the fifth floor.

Meet the Director

Iris T. Guglucello

Iris Torres Guglucello, Director of the Law Department, serves as legal counsel and advisor to all City departments, including the Mayor’s Office and Youngstown City Council. She handles labor and personnel matters for the 900 employees employed by the City of Youngstown. The Law Director is also responsible for general civil litigation and oversight of the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Prior to serving as Law Director for the City of Youngstown, Attorney Guglucello held the position of Deputy Law Director of the City from 2000 to 2004 and Assistant Law Director from 1998 to 2000. Attorney Guglucello has also served as Assistant Mahoning County Prosecutor, Referee and Magistrate for Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas, Staff Attorney for U.A.W. G.M. Legal Services Plan and Assistant Mahoning County Prosecutor for Juvenile Court. Attorney Guglucello has worked in private general practice primarily handling wills, estates, individual bankruptcies (7 and 13), simple real estate transactions, domestic relations and appellate brief writing.

Attorney Guglucello earned her Juris Doctor in May of 1982 from Akron School of Law in Akron, Ohio. She also holds Bachelors Degree in English and Spanish from Youngstown State University, graduating in August of 1973. Attorney Guglucello attended East High School and graduated in 1968.

Attorney Guglucello was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. She has been happily married to her husband, Roger, since 1981. Attorney Guglucello has two stepdaughters, Gina and Jennifer, and two grandchildren, Jessica and Jonah. She has resided in the City of Youngstown since 1952.

John McNally, Law Director until December 31, 2004, ran for and won the votes of the citizens for the position of Mahoning County Commissioner to begin his new quest in January, 2005.

Risk Management

Terri Shasho – Claims Investigator: 330.742.8719

Risk Management manages Workers’ Compensation claims and deals with safety related issues. In addition, Risk Management handles insurance related matters, including health and life insurance benefits of City employees and property and casualty insurance for the City.

City of Youngstown retirees or their representatives should contact Denise Jackson at 330.742.8743 for the following:

  • To report your present address or a change of address
  • To inquire about life insurance benefits
  • To change a beneficiary on your life insurance policy
  • To advise the City of the death of a retiree and/or apply for a death benefit.

Prosecutor's Office

City Prosecutor – Joseph (Jay) R. Macejko

Attorney Jay Macejko has twelve years of experience in the criminal justice system, the last seven of which has been spent as a prosecuting attorney. He brings significant experience prosecuting cases at both the misdemeanor and felony levels. Attorney Macejko holds a B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Akron Law School.

Attorney Macejko also believes that the prosecutor’s office can be a vehicle to effect social change. He has established productive working relationships throughout the criminal justice system and the community and has been able to contribute to the City administration from day one.

Main Office Phone: 330.742.8791; FAX: 330.742.8794

Attorney Joseph Macejko – City Prosecutor
Attorney Dana Lantz – Senior Assistant Law Director
Attorney Basil Ally – Senior Assistant Law Director
Attorney Bret R. Hartup - Senior Assistant Law Director
Attorney John Marsh - Assistant Law Director
Evelyn Ross – Assistant Secretary/Legal
Debra Boyd - Assistant Secretary/Legal

Frequently Asked Questions

Bar Association, how do I contact Mahoning County's?

Mahoning County Bar Association can be reached at 330.746.2933 and are located at 114 East Front Street.

Legal Aid, should I call the City's Law Department if I need legal aid?

No. The Youngstown Law Department represents the City of Youngstown. If you are in need of legal aid, you should contact Northeast Ohio Legal Services at 330.744.3196.

Ordinance, how do I get a copy of just one?

You can call the City Council at 330.742.8709 to obtain a copy of any City Ordinance, copies are 10 cents per page.

Pothole Claim, how long will it take to investigate?

Usually the investigation takes several weeks. The Law Department will notify you as soon as they have the necessary information.

Pothole damage, how do I make a claim for damage to my vehicle?

Any vehicle damage that was caused by a pothole must be sumitted in writing to the Law Department with the following information:

  1. When and where the damage occurred
  2. Insurance information stating the amount of the deductible
  3. An estimate or receipt for repairs

Mail to:

Youngstown Law Department
26 S. Phelps Street
Youngstown, OH 44503

Forms

Contact Information

Address:
4th Floor, City Hall
26 South Phelps Street
Youngstown, OH 44503
Office Phone:330.742.8874
FAX:330.742.8867
Hours:Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
E-mail:
Name Title/Phone/E-mail
Basil Ally Senior Assistant Law Director
330.742.8791
Dana Brandt Secretary, Law Department
330.742.8874
Debra Byrd Assistant Secretary/Legal
330.742.8791
Anthony Farris Deputy Law Director
330.742.8874
Iris Guglucello Law Director
330.742.8874
IrisG@CityofYoungstownOH.com
Bret R. Hartup Senior Assistant Law Director
330.742.8791
Marti Kane Human Resource Supervisor
330.742.8969
MKane@CityofYoungstownOH.com
Margaret Koval Senior Assistant Law Director
330.742.8874
Dana Lantz Senior Assistant Law Director
330.742.8791
Joseph "Jay" R. Macejko City Prosecutor
330.742.8791
John Marsh Assistant Law Director
330.742.8791
Jennifer Ozenghar Legislative Aide
330.742.8872
Dan T. Pribich First Assistant Law Director
330.742.8874
Terri A. Shasho Claims Investigator
330.742.8719
TShasho@CityofYoungstownOH.com