City hires Jack Henry’s general counsel

Springfield selected Jack Henry & Associates Inc.’s (Nasdaq: JKHY) senior corporate counsel as the next city attorney.

Frank Romines is scheduled to start July 13. He’ll succeed Dan Wichmer, who held the job for 11 years before moving in March to executive director of Legal Services of Southern Missouri. Marianne Banks, Springfield’s assistant city attorney, held the job in the interim period.

Romines was chosen after the city advertised for the position nationwide. The city’s law department reviewed the applications to recommend finalists to City Manager Greg Burris.

“Frank has a reputation as a quick study and a hard worker with a passion for public service. It’s about time he came to work with the city,” Burris said in a news release. “I’m convinced he will be a great addition.”

A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law, Romines has past experience at the law firms of Husch & Eppenberger LLC and Shughart, Thomson and Kilroy PC.

At Jack Henry for nearly four years, he developed a background in real estate and environmental law. He also was in charge of a group of attorneys and others professionals in the United States and globally, according to the release.

As city attorney, Romines will provide legal advice to City Council, 22 city departments and resident-led boards and task forces. He’ll lead a 16-person law department handling litigation for the city and the crafting of council bills and contracts.

“Springfield is a community I care deeply about, and I will work hard to protect and promote the city’s best interests,” Romines said in the release.