In August 2024, long-time Waco city Attorney Jennifer Richie resigned after 12 years as the city attorney. Since then, the city has been searching for a new city attorney.
On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously voted to hire Kristen Hamilton-Karam for the position. Hamilton-Karam comes from El Paso, where she served as Deputy City Attorney. She brings with her almost two decades of legal experience, with 12 years of municipal legal experience.
District four council member Darius Ewing said Hamilton-Karam was selected in a rigorous application process.
"Anytime you have an opportunity to bring great people into your community, you should take it," he said. "And I think that we saw that and did so."
She replaces interim city attorney Kathleen Perdon, who has served as interim since last August.
Hamilton-Karam’s first day will be February 28. She will receive an annual salary of $265,000, plus a $8,400 annual vehicle allowance. The city hired her for a four-year term.