Mayor Ted Wheeler today announced the appointment of Robert Taylor as Portland City Attorney. In this role, Taylor will oversee the Office of the City Attorney. The office has more than 40 attorneys who are responsible for all the City of Portland’s legal affairs. Taylor succeeds Tracy Reeve, who retired in December. Taylor joined the City as a chief deputy city attorney in 2017. Taylor begins his new job February 22.
“Robert Taylor brings deep public sector legal experience and a calm, steady leadership presence to the City’s leadership team,” said Mayor Ted Wheeler. “His experience, expertise and deep background leading professionals through times of change will help ensure the City’s interests are protected and that my colleagues and I are able to use our legal system to support and protect the people of Portland,” he said.
Before joining the City of Portland, Taylor was the deputy secretary of state under Kate Brown and Jeanne Atkins. He served as the secretary of the Oregon Senate from 2011 to 2014. And, he has worked in private practice and as an assistant analyst for the Congressional Budget Office.
“From ethics to public records; from budget law to emergency orders related to the pandemic and wildfires; from the City’s response to demonstrations and challenging federal overreach by the Trump administration, I’m truly excited to help the City pursue its progressive values,” Taylor said. “We have an incredible team in the City Attorney’s Office. I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them and the great leaders on the Portland City Council,” Taylor said.
The Office of the City Attorney represents the City and its elected officials, employees, bureaus, offices, boards, and commissions in court and in administrative and quasi-judicial proceedings. Office attorneys draft and review local legislation, contracts, real estate leases, intergovernmental agreements and other documents and legal instruments.
Taylor earned his law degree from Willamette University. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Brown University.
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