FAQ: Who does the City Attorney work for?

The City Attorney's client is the City of Fayetteville.

That means the City Attorney provides legal advice to the Mayor, City Council, city boards and commissions, and city departments as they carry out the work of local government. The City Attorney does not represent elected officials, a political party, or any special interest.

The City Attorney's responsibility is to provide objective legal advice based on the law and the best interests of the city.

Does the City Attorney work for the Mayor?

No.

The City Attorney advises the Mayor, but does not work exclusively for the Mayor. The office also provides legal advice to the City Council and other city boards, commissions, and departments.

The City Attorney's role is to help all of the people involved in city government understand the law, make informed decisions, and reduce legal risk.

Does the City Attorney work for the City Council?

The City Attorney serves as legal counsel to the City Council, but the Council is not the City Attorney's only client.

The City Attorney provides legal guidance to city leaders while remaining independent and focused on what the law requires.

Who is the City Attorney ultimately accountable to?

Because Fayetteville elects its City Attorney, the office is ultimately accountable to the people of Fayetteville.

Residents expect their City Attorney to provide honest, independent legal advice, uphold Arkansas law, protect taxpayer resources, and help ensure city government operates fairly, ethically, and transparently.

Why does this matter?

The City Attorney's job is not to tell elected officials what they want to hear. It's to tell them what the law requires.

That independence helps protect the city, strengthen public trust, and ensure decisions are made with integrity and in the best interests of the entire community.