Roseville, Calif.- At its February 4 meeting, the Roseville City Council named Bob Schmitt as the new City Attorney effective February 21, 2015. Schmitt, who has served as Assistant City Attorney since 2007, will replace Brita Bayless, who is retiring after 13 years of city employment including more than 8 years as City Attorney.
“We were impressed with Bob’s legal expertise, his integrity and high ethical standards,” said Roseville Mayor Carol Garcia. “He will continue to be an excellent mentor to our legal team.”
As City Attorney, Schmitt is the chief legal officer of the City and will lead a team of attorneys responsible for the City’s legal issues related to a wide range of industries and topics, including ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and litigation. The City Attorney also reviews and analyzes the City’s position on legislation affecting the City.
“We are in the midst of a very exciting time in Roseville. I’m looking forward to playing a larger role in the city’s future,” said Schmitt. “We have many challenges ahead of us, but I feel as though the City Council, the city and our legal team are well prepared to meet those challenges allowing Roseville to continue to prosper.”
Schmitt began his legal career as a law clerk for the City of Roseville in 1997 while attending McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. At various times during his tenure with Roseville, he has been the principal legal advisor to the city’s electric and environmental utilities, and planning and economic development projects.
The City Manager and the City Attorney are the only two staff positions directly hired by the City Council.
(Note: The City Attorney acts as the chief legal counsel for the Roseville municipal government, not as a legal representative or adviser to private citizens, businesses or non-profits.)