Colfax hires new city attorney

The Colfax City Council approved a services contract Aug. 14, hiring its next city attorney, Conor W. Harkins. Harkins is an associate in Colantuono, Highsmith, & Whatley's Grass Valley and Sacramento offices. According to the law firm's website, Harkins graduated from the McGeorge School of Law and has a bachelor's in English Literature from the University of Puget Sound. The hire comes after previous City Attorney Mick Cabral announced his intent to retire on May 1. Cabral has acted as Colfax's city attorney since 2009. According to Colfax, Cabral's resignation is effective Aug. 20. Cabral introduced the item to council and noted Harkins as an "excellent attorney" from an "excellent law firm" with "top-drawer lawyers." According to City Manager Ron Walker, the city received proposals from two law firms and an ad-hoc committee interviewed the candidates during closed session of a special city council meeting on June 26. Harkins was determined as the best fit for Colfax. "Excellent choice. I'm going to miss you all. I've enjoyed thoroughly working with you and time for me to ride off into the sunset," Cabral said tearily. Mayor Pro Tem Sean Lomen thanked Cabral for his service to Colfax, stating, "Thank you again, Mick, for everything. You've been a huge asset to the city and definitely taken us down the right path all these years." The council approved the contract in a unanimous vote. The contract for Harkins' services, budgeted at $171,000 per year, began Aug. 14 and ends Sept. 1, 2027.