Wauwatosa council committee approves appointment of Jennifer Tate as city attorney

The Wauwatosa committee voted to forward the nomination of Jennifer Tate to the full Common Council, approving her appointment as city attorney effective June 9, 2025.

City Administrator Jim Archambault, who led the recruitment, described a months-long, merit-based search that produced 15 applicants and multiple interview rounds and recommended Tate based on her mix of municipal and prosecutorial experience. "Our present attorney, attorney Kessner, has gained a depth and breadth of knowledge about municipal law that, I would argue is second to none in the state," Archambault said while urging support for a candidate who can grow into the role.

The recommendation drew questions from Alderman McClough about the council's role and the transparency of the hiring process. "We are being asked to choose ... with a bridal amount of information about the chosen candidate and even less in actual involvement in the selection process itself," McClough said, arguing the council should see more comparative material before confirming a key municipal officer.

Mayor McBride, who participated in final vetting, said the selection panel reduced a field of applicants through technical interviews, candidate presentations and written exercises and that Tate showed qualities sought for the post. "I saw that in Jennifer Tate," the mayor said, citing the candidate's quick learning, ability to stand by legal conclusions and experience supervising other attorneys.

According to staff, the recruitment produced 15 applicants; human resources screened candidates and offered first interviews to nine, invited four to a second round (which included a presentation and a written exercise), and advanced two finalists to final interviews. Archambault and other interviewers noted Tate worked at the Wisconsin Attorney General's Office, served more than five years in criminal prosecution with the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office (including supervising a team of 12 attorneys), had prior experience in the Milwaukee City Attorney's Office, and had spent time in private civil litigation and municipal prosecutions.

Council members debated two distinct issues: the qualifications and fit of the recommended candidate and whether the council had adequate involvement in the hiring process. Some members defended the administrative process and said staff and outside municipal attorneys participated in vetting; others said the council should have more comparative information before confirming a director-level hire.

Alderman Sean Lowe moved to appoint Tate; the motion was seconded (second not specified on the record). During discussion, Archambault and HR staff said the posted job required two to five years of supervisory experience and seven to ten years of progressively responsible legal experience and that Tate meets those requirements based on her résumé and municipal work. Staff also said some aspects of applicants' identities and current employment status can make public interviews unfair to candidates, which informed the decision not to expose all applicants publicly.

Alderman McClough stated he would vote "present" to signal continuing concerns about process. Alderman Wilkie said he would vote in favor. The committee chair (Mayor McBride) called for a voice vote: "All in favor? Aye." When asked for opposed votes, McClough said "present." The chair recorded his aye vote and stated the matter passes and will move on to the full Common Council later the same evening.

If confirmed by the full council, staff said Tate will review the attorney's office operations on arrival and present recommendations about the division of work between in-house and outside counsel. Staff also said Tate will be asked early on to update the council on open meetings and open records obligations as part of onboarding and training.

The committee record lists the appointment effective date as June 9, 2025. The committee adjourned after the vote.