If at first you don’t succeed, apologize and try again.
Miro Weinberger, mayor of Burlington, made a second run at filling a key position — city attorney — on Monday. He appointed Eileen Blackwood, a lawyer with 25 years in private practice, who is a founding partner of Hinesburg firm Kohn, Rath Blackwood and Danon.
Though Blackwood has an Ivy League pedigree like Ian Carleton, Weinberger’s previous pick, (she went to Dartmouth College for undergrad and Cornell University Law School), her $110,000 salary so far hasn’t generated the controversy Carleton’s did.
Two months ago, the mayor’s office withdrew Carleton’s name from the hat when he demanded a higher salary because he holds a Yale Law School degree. He asked for $112,000.
City Attorney Ken Schatz, who has announced his retirement, makes about $108,000, according to the Burlington Free Press.
If the city council approves her appointment on July 16, she will be the first woman to serve as Burlington attorney.
Weinberger said in a statement: “Eileen has extensive experience, excellent skills as a listener and communicator, is one of the most respected and admired attorneys in the Vermont legal community, and has an outstanding record of community service.”
Blackwood is a past president of the Vermont Bar Association and was appointed by the chief justice of the Vermont Supreme Court to serve on the Commission on Judicial Operation, according to a press release from the city.
“I appreciate the Mayor’s confidence in my abilities and welcome the opportunity to partner with the City Council and the Mayor to tackle the many important legal issues facing Burlington today,” Blackwood said in a statement.