Mayor Andre Dickens has appointed Marquetta J. Bryan as the City of Atlanta’s new city attorney.
Bryan will succeed Patrise Perkins-Hooker, who will depart the city ahead of the start of Dickens’ next term.
Bryan brings more than two decades of legal experience across public and private practice, according to a statement from the city.
“Marquetta Bryan is a respected attorney with a reputation for sound judgment, strategic thinking and integrity,” Dickens said in the statement. “Her depth of experience, coupled with her heart for public service, makes her the right choice to serve Atlanta in this critical role.”
“As a native of Atlanta, I am deeply humbled and honored to be entrusted with advancing justice, fairness and transparency in this role in the City that shaped the soul of who I am,” Bryan said. “I am committed to upholding a culture of integrity and accountability, strengthening an already exceptional team, and expanding meaningful opportunities to train and elevate the next generation of attorneys. I stand on the shoulders of the remarkable women and men who have served before me, and as I carry their legacies forward, I will bring both the fire to fight for what our city deserves and my unyielding love for Atlanta as we write this next chapter.”
An Atlanta native and graduate of Emory University, Bryan most recently served as a litigation partner with Pierson Ferdinand LLP. She also serves as a mediator and arbitrator with Henning Mediation & Arbitration Services and has represented municipalities, public agencies, school districts, and nonprofit organizations throughout her career. Bryan is admitted to practice law in Georgia and New York and before the Supreme Court of the United States. She is the recipient of both the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta “Lawyer of the Year” Award and the Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service.
Dickens also appointed Vanessa Manley to serve as Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services.
Manley will oversee a number of priority initiatives, including the Mayor’s Housing Help Center, Midnight Basketball and other non-policing activities to address the root causes of crime, marquee events for legacy residents like the Mayor’s Senior Ball and the Community Engagement Team, whose dedicated mission is to strengthen relationships between city hall and the residents.
Manley brings more than 20 years of experience in public service, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement. Most recently, she served as the City of Atlanta’s Director of Customer Service and Constituent Support, overseeing customer relations, emergency warming shelters, senior programming, faith-based engagement and other community initiatives.
“I am deeply honored to serve as Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services for the City of Atlanta,” Manley said in a statement. “In this role, I am committed to ensuring every resident receives responsive, accessible, and accountable service, and that our work reflects the heart of a city that listens, cares, and delivers.”