On October 23, the Alexandria City Council unanimously appointed 
Joanna C. Anderson as City Attorney, effective immediately. Anderson has served as Acting City Attorney since September 11. She succeeds James L. Banks, who resigned on September 7 to accept a position with another organization.
“City Council has long relied on Joanna’s sound legal advice on a wide variety of complex issues,” said Mayor Allison Silberberg. “Her expertise and dedication to our community make her an outstanding choice for this important position.”
Anderson first joined the City Attorney’s Office in 2001 as a Law Clerk, later serving as an Assistant City Attorney from 2003 to 2005 and 2010 to 2016, and Chief Deputy City Attorney from 2016 to 2018. She practiced law at an area firm from 2005 to 2010. She has provided legal counsel on major infrastructure projects, interpretation of the City’s zoning ordinance, processing of development applications, small area planning, and major citywide initiatives.
Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of New Hampshire and a law degree from the George Mason University School of Law.
