KALAMAZOO, MI — The City of Kalamazoo announced three finalists for the position of City Attorney on Wednesday.
The finalists are William Kim, Julianne Pastula and James Porter, according to the agenda for next week’s City Commission meeting released on Wednesday, November 23.
City Attorney Clyde Robinson, hired in 2008, announced his intention to retire in March. He remained in office, saying he would continue to serve for some time while his replacement was searched for.
Related: Kalamazoo City Attorney Clyde Robinson Announces Retirement
The City Commission will hold a special meeting on Monday, Nov. 28 to approve a meeting with the candidates scheduled for 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30 in the Kalamazoo City Hall Community Hall.
Interviews will be open to the public and currently scheduled for Thursday, December 1 at 9:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 1 p.m. in City Commission rooms. City officials did not provide the time each candidate was assigned to be interviewed.
Here is some brief general information about each finalist.
William Kim is currently the Flint City Attorney and previously worked as an assistant city attorney for Lansing, according to his resume posted by the City of Kalamazoo. Kim has also worked as an attorney/legal assistant with the Michigan Department of Financial Services and Insurance and as a legal extern for the Hon. U.S. District Court Judge Janet T. Neff points to the resume.
“One of the benefits of municipal law is that sometimes municipal lawyers can see tangible effects in the lives of residents of their city. To that end, I believe I can bring my experience and training to help the Kalamazoo City Attorney’s Office more effectively address issues facing the City of Kalamazoo,” Kim wrote in her cover letter to the city.
Julienne Pastula is chief operations legal counsel for the City of Detroit’s Legal Department and previously served as general counsel for the Michigan Independent Citizens’ Redistricting Commission, according to her resume released by the City of Kalamazoo. Previously, she worked in the City of Detroit’s Legal Department as a Senior Associate Legal Counsel. She also worked as a public policy analyst with the Detroit City Council’s Analysis Division.
“My experience, particularly in the roles of Chief Legal Counsel for the City of Detroit’s Legal Department Operations, General Counsel for the MICRC, and Senior Assistant Corporate Counsel, has provided me with the expertise necessary to successfully assume the duties and responsibilities of the City Attorney. In addition to the work expected of a City Attorney, a significant portion of my professional experience has involved handling emergencies that arise in a political environment. Therefore, I am well accustomed to a fast-paced and dynamic environment where adaptation is key,” Pastula wrote in her cover letter to the city.
James Porter is in-house legal counsel for Oshtemo Charter Township. Prior to that, he was a partner at Bauckman, Sparks, PC, Attorneys at Law, in Kalamazoo, according to his resume in the diary file. He was also a partner at Reed, Stover & O’Conner, PC, and a partner at Early Lennon, PC, and Bauckman, Reed, PC.
“I bring over thirty-six years of experience and valuable knowledge of Kalamazoo and surrounding Michigan municipalities. I would respectfully request the opportunity to discuss my experience which would add tremendous value to the City of Kalamazoo,” said wrote Porter in his cover letter.
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