Council interviews two internal candidates for interim city attorney; appointment set for regular meeting
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Summary
City Council heard presentations from two candidates, long-time senior assistant Donna Fairweather and former assistant Trevor Fanning, for the interim city attorney role; council indicated it would discuss candidates in executive session and proceed with an appointment at its regular meeting.
The City Council conducted interviews Aug. 28 with two internal candidates for the interim city attorney post the city will need when the current city attorney retires.
Donna Fairweather, a 15-year municipal attorney who currently serves as senior assistant city attorney, told the council she has led code-enforcement reforms and municipal-court practice changes since joining the city in 2010. She said she prefers the interim appointment because she does not reside in Galveston, a statutory requirement for the permanent city attorney position.
Trevor Fanning, a Galveston native and attorney with prior service in the Galveston city attorney’s office and as an interim city attorney for another jurisdiction, also interviewed and said he would be interested in the permanent post in addition to the interim assignment.
Council members asked each candidate about management style, staffing and approaches to balancing city interests with legal risks. Candidates described experience supervising staff, training newer attorneys and prioritizing preparation for public meetings so legal counsel’s advice is timely and defensible.
After the interviews, the council held an executive session to discuss the candidates. The matter of appointing an interim city attorney was placed on the council’s regular meeting agenda for final action later the same day.