After having a presence at Benicia City Council meetings for more than 20 years, City Attorney Heather McLaughlin will be exiting the dais in March.

McLaughlin said after nearly 22 years in the position and numerous health issues over the years, it was time to move on.

“I love this position,” she said. “I love this job, it’s a great city, but I’ve been here for 22 years.”

“This is a job that can really wear you down,” she added.

Before coming to Benicia, McLaughlin held a number of legal positions, including a law clerk for the city of Newport Beach, a member of a Dixon law firm and assistant city attorney in Alameda. It was while working in Alameda that McLaughlin met a number of people who lived in Benicia and had glowing praise for the city.

“They told me about the things that were going on in town and all the excitement,” she said. “They saw that a job would be opening up, and I should apply.”

McLaughlin applied in early 1997 to take over for a law firm that was filling in on an interim basis following the departure of previous City Attorney Shawn Mason. In February of that year, she was hired by the City Council. Since then, McLaughlin has served as a legal adviser to the council and city officials on various civic duties and represented the city in litigation issues.

At the Sept. 4 City Council meeting, the councilmembers voted 4-0— Mayor Elizabeth Patterson was absent— to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals from law firms to provide city attorney services. Over the years, the services have been provided by either employees or law firms. McLaughlin said there are pros and cons to utilizing law firms for city attorney services.

“The upside is you get more than just one brain,” she said. “You might get more expertise.”

However, she said that depending on how the firm is staffed, there might not be as much immediate service, although she noted this might be changing.

“Back in the old days before technology and email, it was much harder to be in contact with people so you really needed to be in the office,” she said. “I think things are changing nowadays, so maybe that’s not such a requirement.”

McLaughlin said the RFP was issued to about 20 firms, and she put it on a Listserv for attorneys. Some firms have already expressed interest. After proposals are received, McLaughlin said some “city attorney types and city manager types” would review them and select the firms to be interviewed. Recommendations will be made, and the City Council will have the final vote.

Despite leaving the position, McLaughlin said she will remain in the city. She has a cruise and family reunion lined up for after March, and she will continue to do volunteer work.

“I don’t think I can just sit around and do nothing,” she said.

Overall, McLaughlin is grateful for her experience in Benicia and she is happy to stick around.

“It’s a great town,” she said. “I’ll still be around. I have to have my daily lunch at the Tea Room.”

McLaughlin’s last day will be March 23, 2019.