Municipal law

 

Municipal Law

Local governments operate at the intersection of statutes, policy decisions, and real-world impact. Liz George & Associates represents municipalities, public trusts, and private parties interacting with local governments in municipal law matters across Oklahoma. Our practice combines deep statutory knowledge with practical, day-to-day experience advising local governments on governance, compliance, and litigation.

In addition to handling high-stakes municipal litigation and appeals, we regularly assist municipalities with routine operational matters, helping ensure that everyday decisions are legally sound and defensible. From drafting ordinances and resolutions to advising on meeting procedures and statutory compliance, we provide clear, practical guidance tailored to the realities of municipal operations.

 
 

Municipal Law Services

Our municipal law practice includes representation and counsel in matters involving:

  • Day-to-Day Municipal Operations
    Advising municipalities on routine operational matters, including drafting and reviewing ordinances, resolutions, proclamations, policies, and intergovernmental agreements, and providing ongoing guidance to city officials and staff.

  • Municipal Incorporation and Organization
    Advising landowners, residents, and local officials on the statutory requirements for municipal incorporation, including election procedures, boundary issues, and challenges to incorporation.

  • Annexation and De-Annexation
    Litigating and advising on municipal annexations, including consent annexations, contiguity requirements, emergency ordinances, and statutory notice and procedure compliance.

  • Open Records Act (ORA) Litigation
    Representing requestors and public bodies in disputes under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, including mandamus actions, declaratory relief, and appellate review of agency obligations and exemptions.

  • Open Meeting Act (OMA) Compliance and Litigation
    Advising boards, councils, and public trusts on Open Meeting Act compliance and representing parties in enforcement and defense of alleged OMA violations.

  • Municipal Taxation and Elections
    Challenging and defending municipal and county tax measures, including lodging taxes, special elections, statutory notice requirements, and post-election challenges.

  • Public Trust and Authority Issues
    Advising and litigating matters involving public trusts, including questions of statutory authority, transparency obligations, and governance.

  • Declaratory and Injunctive Relief
    Pursuing and defending actions seeking to invalidate municipal ordinances, elections, or governmental actions that fail to comply with statutory or constitutional requirements.

Representative Matters

The firm’s municipal law experience includes, among others:

  • Annexation Challenge – City of Broken Bow / Hochatown
    Successfully represented property owners challenging a municipal annexation ordinance, resulting in the annexation being declared invalid and affirmed on appeal.

  • Municipal Incorporation and Tax Litigation – Hochatown
    Representation in litigation involving the incorporation of a municipality and challenges to county-approved lodging tax increases, including appellate proceedings addressing statutory notice and election requirements.

  • Open Records Act Appellate Litigation
    Representation of a records requestor in a published Oklahoma Supreme Court decision addressing whether a county jail public trust qualifies as a “law enforcement agency” under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, resulting in reversal of summary judgment and remand.

  • Public Trust and Transparency Disputes
    Advising and litigating disputes involving public trusts and governmental entities concerning compliance with transparency statutes and scope of statutory authority.

(Additional representative matters available upon request.)

 

Practical, Litigation-Ready Municipal Counsel

Municipal disputes often move quickly and carry political, financial, and public-relations consequences. Liz George & Associates brings trial-tested judgment and appellate experience to municipal matters, with a focus on precision, statutory compliance, and strategic litigation planning.

For municipalities, public officials, businesses, and citizens navigating municipal law issues, we provide clear guidance and effective advocacy at every stage—from advisory work to trial and appeal.