28 Feb IMLA Recognizes and Celebrates Black History Month!
IMLA celebrates Black History Month! For every month of the year, IMLA continues to advocate and support racial equity programs and inclusive legislation that protect and support BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities across the United States and Canada.
February is a month of celebration and recognition of the achievements of our own members in their legal careers and are exemplary local government attorneys and individuals in their own communities. Nominated by their peers, we would like to recognize the following individuals and would like to thank them for their service in local government and their loyalty to IMLA.
Jeannine Smith Williams
Chief Assistant City Attorney
St. Petersburg, Florida
IMLA Board of Director
Jeannine Smith Williams is the Chief Assistant City Attorney for the City of St. Petersburg, serving the City for more than 24 years. Currently, she provides legal advice to the Mayor, City Council, and City Administration in all areas of government law and manages 15 attorneys. Prior to assuming primary responsibilities of providing advice to elected and appointed officials, Jeannine litigated cases and handled appeals involving constitutional law, employment law, workers compensation, contracts, and public records.
Natalia S. Harris
City Attorney
Delaware, Ohio
Ms. Harris is the first lawyer in her family, a career public servant, and currently the City Attorney for the City of Delaware, Ohio – the first African American and first woman to serve in this role. She previously served as the City Prosecutor for Delaware, Ohio – also the first African American to serve in the position. Prior to Delaware, she was the City Prosecutor for the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, one of the third largest cities in Ohio, and was the first African American female and youngest person to serve in the position at the time. She served as a Legal Advisor for the Columbus, Ohio Police Department and began her career as a County Prosecutor in the Montgomery County, Ohio Prosecutor’s Office.
Ms. Harris is a 1997 graduate of Central State University (Ohio’s only public Historically Black College/University (HBCU)), a Life Member of the Central State University National Alumni Association, Central State University National Alumni Association Hall of Fame Member (2019) and is currently the Vice-Chair of the Central State University Board of Trustees.
Ms. Harris serves as a mentor in the Ohio Supreme Court’s Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program and is also a 2023 Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellow, engaged in efforts to fulfill the organization’s goal of strengthening Ohio’s justice system through outreach and education. She previously served as a Board member for the Summer Work Experience in Law (SWEL) Program, which is a pipeline program for African American students interested in the legal profession, is a former Cincinnati Bar Association Board member and served as Chairperson of the Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati (BLAC) 26th Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet, which provides scholarships to African American law school students.
Ms. Harris frequently speaks to students in schools in the central Ohio area about her path into the legal profession and mentors students, most of whom know no lawyers, as they explore their interest in the legal profession. In 2023, she was recognized by Think Make Live Youth with a Social Justice Award for her individual legal advocacy efforts for youth.
Ms. Harris has also been recognized at the state and local level for her commitment to the public she serves.
Black Lawyers Stand Out as City Attorneys in North Carolina
IMLA’s commemoration of Black History Month in the U.S. and Canada is the perfect time to observe how important diverse perspectives are in the practice and administration of law and how difficult it can be to ensure that those diverse perspectives and life experiences are reflected in the membership of the bar. Consider, for instance, that in the United States, Black Americans represent 13.7% of the overall population but only 5% of practicing attorneys. “Demographics”. ABA Profile of the Legal Profession 2024, 2025, www.americanbar.org/news/profile-legal-profession/demographics/. Further, rather frustratingly, that figure has remained unchanged for more than a decade. Id.
The good news is that, although Black Americans remain woefully under-represented as members of the bar, many, many Black lawyers find their professional calling in the public sector. It is possible that any number of U.S States and Canadian Provinces can vouch for this phenomenon—that Black lawyers are well-represented in the ranks of public sector attorneys—but we must brag on our home state of North Carolina. Because when a new City Attorney took the oath of office in Raleigh in 2023, it dawned on us that the six most populous cities in North Carolina all had appointed Black attorneys serving as the chief legal officer of the city. That struck us as pretty special—exceptional even—and we hope, Dear Reader, that you agree. So, we thought we’d introduce ourselves . . .
Karen Musgrave McDonald
City Attorney
Raleigh, North Carolina
Karen Musgrave McDonald was appointed as the City Attorney for Raleigh, North Carolina (pop. 482,425)—the state’s capital city—in 2023. In this role, she serves as the chief legal advisor to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, department heads, and various boards and committees. She leads a team of 30 attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff, ensuring the city’s legal affairs are managed with integrity and professionalism.
Karen’s distinguished career in municipal law began in 1995. Prior to her appointment as the Raleigh City Attorney, Karen was the first Black AND woman attorney appointed as City Attorney for the City of Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Karen has held leadership roles at both the state and national levels. She has served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina League of Municipalities and as President of the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys. Currently, she plays an active role in the International Municipal Lawyers Association, serving on the Programming Committee and as Regional Vice President for the 4th Circuit, which includes Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Licensed to practice law in North Carolina, Georgia, and Arkansas, Karen is a proud “Double Deacon,” having earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University. Her career reflects a deep commitment to public service, legal excellence, and advancing the field of municipal law.
Charles D. Watts, Jr.
City Attorney
Greensboro, North Carolina
Since early-2019, Chuck Watts has served as the City Attorney for Greensboro, North Carolina—the state’s third largest city (pop. 302,307). Although he was a newcomer to local government at the time of his appointment, Chuck brought to the role deep experience in legal, government, and business matters, and, after starting his career with a large D.C. law firm, went on to hold positions in academia, corporations, as a solo practitioner, and more.
Just prior to his appointment as City Attorney, Chuck had served for three years as a Deputy Secretary and General Counsel for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, having been appointed to the role by then-Governor Roy Cooper.
Chuck is an innovator, a strategist, and a skilled manager, who is held in high regard by his peers in the Tarheel state for bringing stability, professionalism, technological advancements, and growth to the Greensboro City Attorney’s Office after more than a decade of turbulence and years of turnover in the City Attorney position.
Chuck holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.B.A. from Indiana University, and he earned his law degree from Howard University School of Law.
Kimberly Martin Rehberg
City Attorney
Durham, North Carolina
IMLA Board of Director
Kim Rehberg is City Attorney for the City of Durham, North Carolina (pop. 295,845), a position that she’s held since being appointed by the Durham City Council in June 2019. She is the first woman to serve in the role. Prior to her appointment as City Attorney, Kim served in the Durham City Attorney’s Office since April 2005, primarily as litigation manager and lead attorney in all litigated tort matters, and as general counsel to the City’s Human Resources Department and Risk Management function.
Kim “found” local government law (or perhaps local government law found Kim?) right out of law school, and she’s been a local government law practitioner for 24 of her 30 years of law practice. She served stints as an Assistant General Counsel for the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, as an Assistant County Attorney for Durham County, North Carolina, and as an Assistant Professor of Public Law and Government at the UNC School of Government, before she found her way to Durham City Hall.
Kim attended her first IMLA meeting in 1995, when the organization was still branded as “NIMLO” (National Institute of Municipal Law Officers), and she has a deep affection for the organization. She has enjoyed serving on the IMLA Board of Directors since 2023 and especially loves her work on IMLA Awards and Scholarship Committees. Kim currently sits on the Government and Public Sector Council for the North Carolina Bar Association and is First Vice-President for the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys. Kim holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A. Psychology, 1991) and Duke University School of Law (J.D., 1994).
Camille French
City Attorney
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Camille French officially began her tenure as the City Attorney for Winston-Salem, North Carolina (pop. 252,975) on December 31, 2024. Originally hired in 2018 as an Assistant City Attorney and general counsel for the City’s Human Resources Department, Camille’s portfolio and contributions to the City steadily grew over time until she had solidified for the City Council that she was well-equipped to succeed long-time City Attorney Angela Carmon, who retired in December 2024, and who had been the first Black AND woman attorney appointed as Winston-Salem City Attorney.
Prior to her appointment as City Attorney, Camille created the legislatively mandated process for the Civil Service Board, which was adopted in 2024, and worked extensively with the past and present City Managers on complex legal issues regarding city policies and their consistent application and process. She also assisted in the development and review of the City’s legislative agenda, provided guidance on the policies and legal concerns regarding employee grievances, and revised the City’s Workplace Violence and Grievance policies to streamline processes and establish clear and distinct measures for implementation. Most recently, she assisted with the coordination and facilitation of training for all city staff and volunteers regarding Respect in the Workplace.
Camille has volunteered as a Supervising Attorney for the Wake Forest University School of Law Pro Bono Law Clinics, was a member of the 2024 Nominating Committee for the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys, and holds executive leadership roles for national professional organizations. Additionally, she serves the Winston-Salem community as a member of several nonprofit boards. Camille has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and a Doctor of Law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Lachelle H. Pulliam
City Attorney
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Lachelle Pulliam was officially appointed City Attorney for the City of Fayetteville, North Carolina (pop. 209, 751) in April 2024. Fayetteville is home to Fort Bragg (formerly Fort Liberty), one of the largest military installations in the world, with more than 52,000 military personnel. Providing legal counsel to cities that are home to military bases presents unique challenges, as military cities contend with issues ranging from environmental contamination to traffic changes, severe housing shortages, and more.
Lachelle served as Interim City Attorney from September 2023 until her appointment in April 2024. Before her appointment, she had been an Assistant City Attorney in the Fayetteville Office since February 2020. Lachelle’s predecessor as Fayetteville City Attorney was also a Black and woman lawyer.
Lachelle’s experience prior to joining the City of Fayetteville includes serving as the Judicial Affairs Coordinator at Johnson C. Smith University, managing her own law practice, where she negotiated complex business contracts, handled civil transactions and litigation, and represented indigent individuals in contempt and juvenile cases. She also briefly served as an Assistant Solicitor for the City of Atlanta.
Lachelle grew up in Fayetteville and is a graduate of E. E. Smith High School. She is a member of the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys and is licensed to practice law in both North Carolina and Georgia.
Patrick W. Baker
Retired City Attorney
Charlotte, North Carolina
Past IMLA President
We would be remiss if we didn’t highlight the legal leadership of North Carolina’s largest city—Charlotte (pop. 911,307). Currently, the City of Charlotte is recruiting for the successor to former City Attorney Patrick Baker, who retired on December 31, 2024, after more than 27 years of continuous service in North Carolina local government.
Patrick began his career in Durham, North Carolina as an Assistant City Attorney, serving as the City’s chief litigator. In a surprising turn of events (for an attorney, anyway), after seven years of service in the Durham City Attorney’s Office, Patrick then spent four years as the Durham City Manager (2004-2008), leading an organization of 2,500 employees, before being appointed as the first Black City Attorney for the City of Durham. He led the Durham City Attorney’s Office for 11 years. Over the course of his career, Patrick has become a highly respected thought leader in Council-Counsel relationships, team building, and law office management. He is a champion for local government law careers and has mentored countless attorneys now serving as in-house municipal attorneys in North Carolina. Patrick served as the President of the North Carolina Association of Municipal Lawyers (NCAMA) and as President of the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA), and, notably, he held those offices at the same time (2019-2020). Patrick, like his “sister” in Raleigh, is a “Double Deacon” and earned his undergraduate and law degree from Wake Forest University.
So, there you have it, the happy coincidence that Black lawyers have found success leading the in-house local government law offices in each of North Carolina’s six largest cities . . . at the same time. Every path was different, but all of them have led to professional fulfillment, challenge, and growth. We hope you find encouragement in that. (p.s. They’re all also active and engaged members of IMLA. Read into that what you will!)
Happy Black History Month!