Connelly Named Interim City Attorney

Fri., Dec. 22, 2000

From Staff Reports

Mayor-elect John Powers has named Michael Connelly interim city attorney until a permanent replacement for Jim Sloane can be found.

Sloane, city attorney since 1978, is retiring at the end of the year. Connelly, 46, has served as an assistant city attorney since June 12, specializing in defending the Spokane Police Department. Prior to that he worked in private practice.

Powers and Connelly have known each other since Powers was a Gonzaga University law student and Connelly was an adjunct professor. Powers said he chose Connelly for his ability to run the city attorney’s office and his organizational skills.

“As interim city attorney, I don’t look to him to make any sweeping changes,” Powers said. “I’m confident he will do a good job managing the office and organization.”

Powers said he still plans a search for a permanent city attorney. He hopes to fill the position by March.

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