Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has selected attorney and community leader Emily O’Donnell to serve as city attorney. If approved by Chattanooga City Council, she would be the first woman to occupy the city’s top legal office.
“Emily is an outstanding attorney and a committed advocate for families. Throughout her career, she has been a champion for women and vulnerable communities, most recently launching an eviction prevention initiative that kept dozens of families in their homes,” Kelly says.
“As city attorney, I know she will bring the same conviction, compassion and commitment to the job, and will work tirelessly to make our city a more just and prosperous community for all of our neighbors.”
O’Donnell spent the first half of her career as an attorney for Legal Aid of East Tennessee, practicing in Hamilton, Bradley, Sequatchie, Rhea, Meigs, McMinn and Monroe counties. She also was involved in a wide range of cases, including housing, domestic relations, employment and consumer issues.
O’Donnell moved on to private practice in 2018 and founding her own family law firm in 2019.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve our community from the city attorney’s office, where we will uplift families, uphold justice and remove the barriers to opportunity that exist for too many of our neighbors,” O’Donnell says.
“I look forward to serving the people of Chattanooga as their advocate, working alongside Mayor Kelly and the City Council to ensure all voices are heard, and that residents always have someone in their corner.”
Source: Office of the Mayor