Lawrence, Massachusetts Development News

William J. Maloney Appointed Second Assistant City Attorney After Council Deliberation

The Lawrence City Council convened a special meeting to consider the appointment of William J. Maloney as the Second Assistant City Attorney. The City Attorney, Tim Hooton, presented Maloney as a suitable candidate, highlighting his past experience with the city, including serving as City Clerk, and his potential to handle essential, albeit less glamorous, tasks within the office. Hooton emphasized the need for additional support to reduce reliance on outside counsel and manage the workload, particularly in areas like drafting ordinances and handling smaller legal matters. Council members raised concerns regarding the hiring process, transparency, and Maloney's prior legal experience, which had a gap since 2004. Despite these concerns, Maloney introduced himself, stressing his local ties and familiarity with city operations. The council engaged in a detailed discussion about the role's responsibilities, the separation of powers within the city government, and the candidate's background. Ultimately, the council voted to approve the appointment.