About Our Department 
The City of Aurora Law Department consists of the Law Director, Alan I. Shorr and Paralegal, Angie M. Pereces. The Department is located on the second floor at Aurora City Hall, 130 S. Chillicothe Road, Aurora, Ohio 44202.

The City contracts with outside legal counsel for various issues including Criminal Prosecution, Labor Relations, Planning and Zoning, Civil Litigation, and Tax Levy/Bond issues. 

  Departmental Contact Information 

Alan Shorr
Law Director
(330) 995-8866
shorra@auroraoh.com

Mr. Alan I. Shorr was appointed Law Director for the City of Aurora January 1, 2002. As Law Director, Mr. Shorr acts as Legal Advisor and Attorney to the Mayor, City Council, all Administrative Departments, Commissions and Boards. In addition, the Law Director drafts legislation, renders Legal Opinions, and reviews all city contracts.

Biography - Alan I. Shorr, Esq.

Mr. Shorr graduated cum laude from Ohio University in 1966 and summa cum laude from the Cleveland Marshall College of Law of Cleveland State University in 1970. He has been admitted to the Ohio Bar since 1970 and passed the Ohio CPA exam in 1968. Prior to joining the Christley, Herington & Pierce law firm he was an executive with several industrial companies. His practice is concentrated in the areas of corporate, real estate and municipal law. In addition to serving as Law Director for the City of Aurora, he maintains a private legal practice and was the managing partner of the Christley, Herington & Pierce law firm in Aurora from 2002-2010.

Alan has been active in community affairs serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Aurora's Board of Zoning Appeals, Board of Directors of Portage County United Way, Member of Aurora Schools Business Advisory Council, Leadership Portage County and the Portage County Foundation. In 1998 he was named Aurora's Citizen of the Year.

The City of Aurora contracts with outside counsel for Criminal Prosecution Services. Mr. Chad E. Murdock is currently Aurora's Criminal Prosecutor. Mr. Murdock's office is located at 215 W. Garfield, Suite 230, Aurora, Ohio 44202. Mr. Murdock can be contacted directly at 330.562.3156, fax 330.562.9540, email: cem@chpohiolaw.com   webpage:  www.chpohiolaw.com

Biography - Chad E. Murdock, Esq.

Mr. Murdock is a 1987 graduate of Kent State University with a degree in Criminal Justice Studies and a 1991 graduate of the University of Akron School of Law where he received his Juris Doctor degree. Chad began practicing law in November 1991. Chad has an extensive background in public law. He has advised and counseled municipalities, townships, county officials and agencies, and fire districts on all aspects of local government law, including labor relations, legislation, zoning and building codes, nuisance enforcement, bidding documents and contracts, real estate, fiscal matters, and civil defense. In addition, Chad has advised and counseled numerous small businessess in a variety of legal matters, including entity information, dissolution, buying and selling, collections, civil defense, employment matters, and preparation of agreements. Finally, his law practice includes zoning and land use, estate planning (wills and trusts) and probate court administration, elder law, civil prosection and defense, real estate, boundary disputes, and mechanic lien and construction law.

 

In addition to criminal prosecution, the City of Aurora contracts outside legal counsel for Labor Relations, Planning and Zoning, Board of Zoning Appeals, Civil Litigation, and Tax Levy/Bond Issues. The contact information for outside legal counsel is as follows:  

Legal Advisor Labor Relations:   Ronald J. Habowski, 215 W. Garfield, Suite 230, Aurora, Ohio 44202.  330.562.3156  Fax 330.562.9540  email: rjh@chpohiolaw.com   webpage: www.chpohiolaw.com

Legal Advisor Planning and Zoning:   Thomas Reitz, 215 W. Garfield, Suite 230, Aurora, Ohio 44202.  330.562.3156   Fax 330.562.9540  email:  trr@chpohiolaw.com  webpage: www.chpohiolaw.com

Legal Advisor Board of Zoning Appeals:   Chad E. Murdock, 215 W. Garfield, Suite 230, Aurora, Ohio 44202.  330.562.3156   Fax 330.562.9540  email: cem@chpohiolaw.com  webpage: www.chpohiolaw.com

Misc. Civil Litigation:  Douglas K. Paul, 215 W. Garfield, Suite 230, Aurora, Ohio 44202.  330.562.3156    Fax  330.562.9540  email: dkp@chpohiolaw.com   webpage: www.chpohiolaw.com

Tax Levy/Bond Issues:  Squire, Sanders & Depmsey, L.L.P., 4900 Key Tower, 127 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1304.    216.479.8500     Fax 216.479.8780  webpage:   www.ssd.com

Department of Law
Aurora City Hall
130 South Chillicothe Road
Aurora, Ohio 44202
(330) 995-9160
fax: (330) 995-9185