Alexandria City Attorney Joanna Anderson To Retire

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria City Attorney Joanna Anderson announced Tuesday she plans to retire by the end of 2023.

Anderson made the announcement at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

"I am so grateful for my career here at the city," Anderson told City council. "As many of you know, I started as a law clerk here in the city when I was still going to law school, and I'm ending my career as the first woman who was appointed to the city attorney position, and I feel very proud of that."

Anderson was appointed as city attorney on Oct. 23, 2018 after serving as acting city attorney. Anderson's career started as a law clerk in the City Attorney's Office in 2001 was assistant city attorney from 2003 to 2005 and 2010 to 2016, then chief deputy city attorney from 2016 to 2018. She also worked at a law firm from 2005 to 2010.

The city attorney serves as the City of Alexandria's legal advisor, providing legal advice to City Council, the city manager and various boards, commissions and city departments. The city attorney drafts ordinances, contracts, deeds, leases and other legal papers, represents the city in civil court, handles Freedom of Information Act public records requests, and is an adjudicator for parking ticket disputes.

Anderson said she's proud of the work her office has done with city staff and different City Councils. She is confident the office will remain strong to provide "excellent legal services" to the city government.

"We're wistful but congratulatory for your incredible tenure," Mayor Justin Wilson said at Tuesday's meeting. "You have been instrumental in so many accomplishments over the last several years, and we have been lucky to have your wisdom to help guide us as we've gone through all these decisions, particularly the transition...we've had on councils."

Anderson's retirement by the end of 2023 will allow City Council time to appoint a new city attorney. She will remain in the position until a new appointee is hired. The mayor said the city government would have an announcement soon on the process to appoint a new city attorney.