Lesa J. Yeatts will replace Richard B. Kaufman as Herndon's Town Attorney in June.
"Our town attorney Richard Kaufman has chosen to retire. That's the only reason in the world we would ever have such a resolution on the floor this evening," said Mayor Lisa Merkel.
Merkel and the Town Council unanimously appointed Yeatts at last week's Town Council meeting Tuesday, April 14.
Kaufman is retiring after 20 years from Herndon's top legal position.
"I want to thank Richard again for giving us six more months because I know he talked about retiring in December. Look how happy he looks," said Jennifer Baker, vice mayor.
"He continues to be dedicated, putting in long hours. I see him walking home every night," she said.
Town Councilmember Sheila Olem says she's known Kaufman for years.
"I remind you that Richard will still live here and we will still have access to him," she said, "especially if you are a walker."
"I'm looking forward to getting to know citizen Richard because I've gotten to know Town Attorney Richard quite well over the last few years. I've learned quite a bit from him," said Merkel.
YEATTS BEGINS her employment with the Town of Herndon on June 15, 2015.
"It is with great regret that we announce a replacement for our esteemed town attorney, but I do look forward to welcoming Lesa. She's going to be a fine successor," said Councilmember Grace Wolf.
Yeatts will serve as legal advisor to the Herndon Town Council, town manager, town departments, boards and commissions, and town officials. She will prepare ordinances, resolutions, statutes, charter amendments and other legal documents; render legal opinions; prepare the town’s legislative requests to the Virginia General Assembly; represent the town in courts, and generally serve as the town’s chief counsellor on all legal and legislative matters, according to the Town Council.
"Mr. Kaufman had the breadth of knowledge of so many subjects that it will be hard to fill those shoes by anybody. And I think Lesa has best chance of doing that," said Councilmember Jasbinder Singh.
At the end of her 20-plus year tenure with the City of Hampton, Yeatts served as senior deputy city attorney.
"She oversaw the provision of legal support to multiple city agencies, including economic development, planning, zoning, real estate and public works; to regulatory and advisory boards; and to the city council. She was responsible for maintenance of the city code; for drafting and preparation of city ordinances; for criminal prosecution for code violations and for legal representation of city officials; and for overall general counsel on legal issues and compliance with city and court policy," according to Town Council documents.
"We will celebrate Richard as we get closer to his retirement and we will also look forward to welcoming Lesa. We are all very excited to welcome her to Herndon," said Merkel.