Committee forwards William Maloney nomination for 2nd assistant city attorney after questions on labor experience and packet materials

The Lawrence City Personnel Committee on July 15 voted to send the nomination of William (Bill) Maloney for 2nd assistant city attorney to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation after a detailed presentation and questioning.

City Attorney Tim Hooten introduced Maloney as a candidate suited to help manage a heavy caseload in a city attorneyoffice that has handled roughly 40 active matters across litigation, ordinance review and small-claims work. Hooten characterized the 2nd-assistant role as a training position and said he had been unable to recruit many qualified applicants in the past months.

Maloney, who identified himself as Attorney William Maloney of Lawrence and described a long municipal career including service as city clerk from 2004 to 2020 and prior legal practice, said he could help draft ordinances, file litigation, and cover various matters delegated by the city attorney. On questions about retirement and pay, Maloney explained he had consulted the retirement board on options to waive pension payments while serving, and described a typical four- to six-week overlap when a retiree returns to municipal employment.

Councilors pressed Maloney on his limited direct labor-law experience and on how he would prioritize the public interest in a politically charged municipal environment. Maloney said his deep local knowledge and experience with municipal operations would help him serve the city, citing election-law experience in past contested matters as a transferable skill. He said, "I have a vested interest in it as a homeowner... Knowing the area gives me a great advantage." (Maloney)

A procedural question interrupted the discussion when a committee member noted Maloney's application form was not included in the materials available to the committee. The city attorney searched the packet during the meeting; Maloney later stated that the only missing piece was a certification release, and that other application materials were available. The committee asked staff to supply a complete copy for the record.

After the exchange, the committee moved and voted to send Maloney's nomination to the full council with a favorable recommendation. The city attorney said the office currently relies on a mix of in-house staff and outside counsel; he estimated roughly half of cases go to outside counsel because of time commitments when he must be in court.

The nomination will appear before the full council for final confirmation.