Emily Wright to serve as next CBJ Municipal Attorney

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly is pleased to announce the selection of Emily Wright as the next Municipal Attorney. Wright, who currently serves as CBJ Assistant Attorney, will assume her new role on August 26 as Robert Palmer departs to pursue new opportunities. The Assembly will make a formal appointment at a Special Assembly Meeting on August 7.

“I am honored to be able to serve my community in this new role and look forward to working closely with my City colleagues. I wish Robert Palmer the best of luck as he heads off on his next adventure,” said Wright.

Wright has served as CBJ Assistant Attorney for nearly five years in total, most recently from April 2023. In this role, she provided legal counsel to multiple city departments, the Planning Commission and Juneau School District, in addition to serving as a criminal prosecutor at the beginning of her CBJ service. She is well-versed in CBJ issues and is excited to work more closely with the Assembly.

“Emily has already proven to be an asset to the Law Department with her legal skills and welcoming personality,” said Mayor Beth Weldon. “Her relationships with the Assembly, other departments and enterprise boards will enable her to add not only continuity of legal advice but an increased feeling of cohesion between all the departments.  I am confident that Emily will serve the community well in her new position.”

CBJ’s municipal attorney is supervised by the Assembly. Following an initial applicant screening by CBJ’s Human Resources Department, Wright interviewed with the Assembly Attorney Selection Committee and was selected as one of three finalists for the position. Wright then participated in assessment exercises and was interviewed by the full Assembly during a Special Assembly Meeting on July 25. Wright will be paid an annual salary of $188,000.

Wright’s prior experience includes working for the Alaska Court System as a Magistrate IV and Area Court Administrator in addition to working for the State of Alaska as an Attorney III, Labor Relations Deputy Director, and Labor Relations Analyst. Wright holds an MA in Teaching from the University of Alaska Southeast and a JD from the University of Colorado Law School. She served as a Law Clerk for the Denver District Court after law school. Wright has lived in Juneau most recently since 2011.