Richmond Extends Recruitment Contract as City Attorney Search Moves Forward

The Richmond City Council convened a brief special meeting Aug. 11, unanimously approving a contract extension with the firm tapped to lead the city's search for a permanent city attorney. The session also included a closed-door discussion that produced no reportable actions and a tribute to a beloved centenarian resident.

• Council votes 7-0 to extend Bob Murray and Associates recruitment contract for the city attorney search
• Public commenter urges youth inclusion in the city attorney hiring process, citing the firm's track record recruiting Richmond's police chief
• Mayor honors Hermistine Martin, a longtime Richmond resident who passed away at age 100

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City Attorney Recruitment Contract Advances Unanimously

Why it matters: Richmond is actively searching for a permanent city attorney — one of the most consequential leadership hires a city can make, shaping legal strategy, ethics enforcement and governance for years. The council's decision to extend its contract with Bob Murray and Associates signals confidence in the firm and keeps the search on a professional track.

Where things stand: Contract Amendment No. 2 with Bob Murray and Associates for Recruitment Services was the sole item on the consent calendar. The firm has an established relationship with Richmond, having previously recruited the city's police chief.

Public commenter Cordell Hendler spoke in favor of the extension, vouching for the firm's track record: "How do you think we got our police chief? Bob Murray and Associates, and I have got complete faith they can pull this off again," he said.

Hendler also pressed the council to broaden the stakeholder pool for the search, specifically calling for youth involvement. "If you want to include the stakeholders, you got to include the youth, because they can bring a whole lot of knowledge, get their perspective on this for the city attorney position," he said.

Decisions: The item was seconded by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda and approved on a unanimous roll-call vote (For: 7, Against: 0, Absent: 0). All seven members — Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Zepeda, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson and Mayor Eduardo Martinez — voted yes.

What's next: With the contract now extended, the city attorney recruitment process will continue under Bob Murray and Associates. Residents and stakeholders should watch for opportunities to participate in the search, particularly if the council acts on Hendler's call to include youth voices.

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Minor Items

• Closed session: The council entered closed session earlier in the evening. The city attorney reported no final decisions were made.
• Memorial tribute: Mayor Eduardo Martinez honored Hermistine Martin, a longtime Richmond resident who passed away at age 100, before adjourning the meeting. "I'd also like to include Ms. Hermistine Martin, who has had a long, beautiful life here in Richmond. She passed at the age of 100," Mayor Martinez said.