16 - HIRING OF PROSECUTOR FOR MUNICIPAL COURTItem No. 16
memorandum
TO: Mayor & City Council
John Godwin, City Manager
FROM: Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney
SUBJECT: HIRING OF PROSECUTOR FOR MUNICIPAL COURT
DATE: August 17, 2017
BACKGROUND: On June 28, 2016, Council authorized me to hire a contract prosecutor in lieu
of filling the position of Assistant City Attorney that I vacated when Council appointed me to the
position of Interim City Attorney in January 11, 2016. The attorney I hired, Zachary Ressler, has
resigned effective the end this month. I have reached an agreement with local attorney Chris
Fitzgerald to undertake these limited prosecutorial duties when Mr. Ressler leaves. I am
attaching a copy of Mr. Fitzgerald's resume for your reference. He comes to me highly
recommended. I believe he is amply qualified for the duties of contract prosecutor.
STATUS OF ISSUE: Section 28 of the City Charter allows the city attorney to appoint an
assistant city attorney, if deemed necessary, subject to the approval of the City Council. While I
do not believe that a contract prosecutor is an "assistant city attorney" within the meaning of this
Charter provision, in an abundance of caution I am presenting this hire for Council approval.
BUDGET: This proposed hire is budget neutral. Funds have already been budgeted for a
contract prosecutor through the end of this fiscal year, and, pending Council's final approval, for
fiscal year 2017 -2018. A rate of $80.00/hour falls within these budgeted amounts and is well
below the local hourly rate for legal services, particularly for a lawyer with Mr. Fitzgerald's
years of experience. Remember as well the substantial savings in hiring a contract prosecutor
over having a full -time Assistant City Attorney.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve appointment by city attorney of contract municipal court
prosecutor.
Chris W. Fitzgerald
32 W. Plaza
Paris, TX 75460
903 - 783 -0051
chris@chrisfitzgeraldlaw.com
Professional Summary
Accomplished attorney with over 14 years of experience representing clients throughout Northeast
Texas.
Education
• B.B.A in Management - Texas A&M University, College Station, TX Dec 1999
• J. D - Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, TX Dec 2002
• Licensed Attorney May 2003
Experience
Fitzgerald Law, Paris, TX Aug 2010 - Present
Owner /Attorney
Practice Areas:
• Wills and Probates
• Business Formations and Contracts
• Elder Law
• Real Estate
• Divorce /Custody
The Zimmerman Law Firm P.C., Southlake, TX Jan 2010 - Aug 2010
Associate Attorney
Practice Areas:
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Banking and Lending Law
• Commercial Real Estate
• Wills and Probates
Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff do Miller LLP, Ft. Worth, TX Aug 2008 - Jan 2010
Associate Attorney
Practice Areas:
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Banking and Lending Law
• Commercial Real Estate
• Wills and Probates
The Moore Law Firm LLP, Paris, TX May 2003 - Aug 2008
Partner
Practice Areas:
• Wills and Probates
• Business Formations and Contracts
• Elder Law
• Real Estate
• Divorce /Custody
• Criminal Defense