Mayor Jim Ferrell announced Wednesday the appointment of Amy Jo Pearsall as Federal Way City attorney. The mayor has forwarded her appointment to the City Council for confirmation at the Oct. 7 meeting.

“I am delighted to be able to appoint a candidate of such outstanding qualities to this critical position,” Ferrell said. “Amy Jo is respected for her legal acumen and communication skills and she brings a wealth of positive working relationships with the City Council, staff and community to this position.”

Pearsall has served in the city of Federal Way for the past 11 years, starting as a staff attorney followed by promotions to assistant city attorney and then deputy city attorney. She has served as the interim city attorney for the past six months.

Pearsall has experience in both criminal and civil law. She served as an assistant city attorney in the Criminal Division of the Tacoma city attorney’s office and as associate attorney with Kenyon Disend, PLLC representing municipalities in the South King County area. She was a deputy prosecuting attorney in the District Court, Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

In addition, she has held positions as a law clerk with the state Attorney General’s Office in the ecology and University of Washington divisions, and served as an intern with Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI).

The city attorney provides counsel to the mayor, City Council, staff and commissions and directs and coordinates comprehensive legal services for the city of Federal Way. The city opened the position on May 26 and received over 40 applications. The mayor selected Pearsall after extensive interviews with five finalists and holding a meeting for the public to meet finalists.