Donald F. Ryan is the Crow Wing County Attorney. The County Attorney is the legal advisor for the Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners, County department heads and other County agencies.

The County Attorney is not authorized to provide civil legal advice to private citizens in his capacity as County Attorney. As the legal advisor for the County, the County Attorney serves in a role that is similar to that of an in-house corporate counsel.

The County Attorney provides legal advice to the County Board and County departments to assist the County in providing many public services, such as waste management, child protection and the protection of vulnerable adults. Other areas of civil advice include defending challenges to property tax values, representing the Human Services Department on welfare appeals, enforcing County environmental and health ordinances, and forfeiting property used in connection with criminal activity. Additionally, the County Attorney's office assists the County in buying property, negotiating leases and contracts, and in defending against personal injury, workers compensation, employment, civil rights and other law suits.