Springfield government hires new city attorney

provided by city of Springfield

Jordan Paul is scheduled to start in the role on Jan. 2.

Springfield's municipal government has hired a new city attorney.

Jordan Paul is scheduled to start in the role on Jan. 2, according to a news release. He'll succeed Rhonda Lewsader, city attorney since 2019 and a 24-year veteran with the municipality who this summer announced plans to retire at year's end.

"We are very excited to announce the hiring of Jordan. He is from southwest Missouri, is very bright and has solid municipal law experience," City Manager Jason Gage said in the release.

Paul has worked for nearly a decade as assistant city attorney in Joplin, and before that, he was city attorney in Neosho for more than three years, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also has experience in private law.

“I’m honored to have been selected to the position of great public trust and look forward to working with Jason and the City Council on the important work of the city moving forward,” Paul said in the release.

Paul is slated to make an annual salary of $200,000, according to the release.

Springfield's city attorney assists council members, city management and departments with matters of municipal law and in all legal matters brought by or against the city. The city's legal department has 20 employees who routinely write ordinances and resolutions that come before council.