City Manager Dorothy Ann David announced today that she has appointed Thomas Yu to serve as Champaign’s next City Attorney, starting September 12, 2022. Yu currently serves as one of the City’s Assistant City Attorneys and has more than 21 years of experience practicing law.
Yu has served the City of Champaign since 2017, and provides legal counsel to multiple City departments, including Planning and Development, Public Works, Police, Human Resources, and METCAD. He also provides legal representation for the City’s Plan Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and METCAD Policy Board. In his current position, Yu has primary legal responsibilities in the areas of litigation, zoning, subdivisions, public right-of-way, utilities, risk management, insurance, and police matters. He also helps the City to properly manage claims, draft contracts, develop land use documents, and negotiate intergovernmental agreements.
“Tom has been an amazing asset for the City, and I’m pleased to promote him into this leadership position,” said City Manager Dorothy Ann David. “Tom’s extensive legal experience, comprehensive knowledge of the responsibilities of municipal government, and his ability to provide thoughtful counsel on a broad range of organizational and policy concerns made him the best choice to serve as our next City Attorney. Champaign’s Legal Department is highly respected across the state, and I know Tom will continue to build upon that legacy of excellence as he assumes this new role.”
Of his appointment, Thomas Yu said, “In the history of the City of Champaign, there have only been four City Attorneys – Al Tuxhorn, Kurt Froehlich, Dean Sweet, and Frederick Stavins. It is both an honor and a privilege to join this distinguished group and serve as the City’s next City Attorney. I look forward to continuing to work with the caring and deeply committed people at the City on issues that directly impact the quality of life of our diverse and vibrant community.”
Prior to working for the City of Champaign, Yu worked as a Senior Associate for Thomas, Mamer & Haughey, LLP (Champaign) from 2014-2017, as General Counsel for Rotec Industries, Inc. (Hampshire, IL) from 2013-2014, as Senior Associate for Jeep & Blazer, LLC (Hillside, IL) from 2004-2013, and as Assistant State’s Attorney for the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office (St. Charles, IL) from 2000-2004. Yu holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from the University of Illinois and a Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of Law. Yu has bar admissions to practice law in the State of Illinois, U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, and 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
The City conducted a national search for the position of City Attorney to replace Frederick Stavins who retired in May of this year. Yu’s starting salary will be $150,000 per year.