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City hires Mosaic to lead city attorney search; profile and timeline set

City of Grand Rapids Commission and Committees · December 1, 2025
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Summary

The city engaged Mosaic Public Partners to lead a nationwide search for the next city attorney. Mosaic will develop a candidate profile in December, run outreach in Jan–Feb 2026, and aim for selection in March with an appointment in April; the charter’s Michigan-licensure requirement will shape candidate eligibility.

Interim HR leader Ovell Barbi introduced Greg Nelson of Mosaic Public Partners to brief commissioners on the recruitment for the next city attorney.

Nelson described the search as a three-phase process: (1) develop a candidate profile in December that becomes the recruitment brochure; (2) conduct outreach and recruiting in January–February, using advertising, direct outreach, research and LinkedIn campaigns; and (3) conduct a thoughtful selection process in March with a target appointment in April. "The purpose of the candidate profile... is to really call out as specifically as possible identify what you as a city commission are looking for in your next city attorney," Nelson said.

Nelson noted the city's charter requires the appointee be able to practice law in Michigan, so while the search will be national, candidates must be able to obtain Michigan licensure (reciprocity will be explored). Commissioners asked Mosaic to pursue a national search and raised concerns about the length of time needed if a candidate must take the Michigan bar; the mayor and other commissioners discussed interim options if a preferred national candidate could not be admitted to the Michigan bar immediately.

Nelson said Mosaic will meet one-on-one with each commissioner and other stakeholders to build the candidate profile and manage confidentiality. He said outreach will emphasize quality over raw applicant numbers and that Mosaic will advertise in profession-specific outlets, general government sites and diversity-targeted associations.