Traci L. Timko

Warren,OH

Summary

Attorney with 25 years of experience. Served as Prosecutor and Police Legal Advisor in Warren Municipal Court for 22 years. Led Warren Police Department through reform, gaining compliance with USDOJ Settlement Agreement and improving community relations. Extensive litigation, legal research, writing and teaching experience.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Police Legal Advisor

City Of Warren, Ohio Law Department

03.2013 - Current

Responsible for implementing, overseeing and ensuring compliance with all terms of Settlement Agreement reached between City of Warren and United States Department of Justice.
Interpret, mediate and negotiate provisions of Settlement Agreement.
Draft policies and procedures for police department that are consistent with state and federal law, Settlement Agreement and best police practices.
Train police personnel on legal standards for use of force, use of force reporting and use of force investigations.
Train police personnel on legal matters during annual In-Service training.
Serve as advisory member on Use of Force Review Board. Board conducts final review of every reported use of force to determine whether force was appropriate, investigation through chain of command was complete and whether there is any need for training, tactics or equipment changes.
Provide legal opinions and consult to all police personnel.
Draft search warrants, criminal complaints, subpoenas, legal motions, briefs, etc.
Prosecute nuisance abatement actions.
Defend replevin actions.
Teach use of Force and Police Function in Citizens Police Academy.
Fulfill duties of Prosecuting Attorney on ad hoc basis.

Assistant Law Director/ Prosecuting Attorney

City Of Warren, Ohio Law Department

03.2001 - Current

Responsible for all aspects of criminal prosecution from intake through final resolution.
Handle caseload of approximately 6,000 cases per year.
Review all matters from police and private individuals for criminal charges.
Drafted and filed criminal charges, arrest warrants, search warrants, pleadings and motions.
Prepare cases for trial/ litigation.
Legal research
Assess and resolve cases.
Negotiate settlements.
Interview/ prepare witnesses for courtroom testimony.
Communicated with clients and collected information to research cases and prepare settlement offers.

Attorney

Ivanchak & Fowler

11.1998 - 03.2001

Domestic Relations law including custody, divorces, dissolutions, child support
Criminal law including felonies and misdemeanors in state and federal court.
Litigation and trial.
Legal Research
Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest.
Filed timely case pleadings to meet firm deadlines.
Assessed cases for probable outcomes by researching black letter law and other legal authority, comparing fact patterns to those of precedential cases.
Analyzed probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents.
Learned and operated specialized legal software such as Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis.
Advocated for clients before court in oral argument by presenting facts and evidence in most favorable light.

Education

J.D. - Law

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH

05.1998

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology/ Criminology

Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

05.1995

Skills

Litigation
Policy Development and Analysis
Advisor
Educator

Use of Force expert- Force Science certified
Dispute Resolution
Case analysis
Discovery processes

Affiliations

IACP, Legal Officers Section
International Municipal Lawyers Association
Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association
Ohio State Bar Association
Trumbull County Bar Association
GFWC, Warren Junior Women's League
Warren Rotary Club

Timeline

Police Legal Advisor

City Of Warren, Ohio Law Department

03.2013 - Current

Assistant Law Director/ Prosecuting Attorney

City Of Warren, Ohio Law Department

03.2001 - Current

Attorney

Ivanchak & Fowler

11.1998 - 03.2001

J.D. - Law

Case Western Reserve University

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology/ Criminology

Ohio State University