KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo City Commissioners are set to interview their top three candidates for the position of city attorney on Thursday, March 23. The interviews are following a public meet and greet session scheduled for the day before on Wednesday at Kalamazoo City Hall.
Current City Attorney Clyde Robinson, who planned to retire earlier this year, agreed to remain in his role until one of the three candidates is selected and was given a pay raise for the extra time spent in the position.
The candidates on the docket include Royal Oak City Attorney Aaron Leal, a former legal counsel for Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network Lewis Smith, and Assistant Corporation Council for the City of Detroit, Ivars Steins.
The city originally selected Oshtemo Township Attorney James Porter for the job back in November, but Porter withdrew during contract negotiations citing personal family matters. This caused council members to restart it’s search, this time conducting it on their own rather than contracting an outside firm like it did in 2022.
Interviews with the candidates are scheduled for Thursday at 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the city commission chambers.
The interviews will be streamed live.
The city attorney performs under the direction of the city commission and provides legal guidance to the commission and all city departments.
