The Sequim City Council confirmed the hiring of Kristina Nelson-Gross as the Sequim City Attorney at the council meeting on April 25.

Nelson-Gross will begin her employment with the city on June 1, replacing City Attorney Craig Ritchie, who will retire on June 3.

“I really appreciate Kristina’s energy and enthusiasm. Her experience working in the County Prosecutor’s Office will be very beneficial to the city and I very much look forward to working with her,” said Mayor Dennis Smith.

“Kristina is an outstanding addition to our team! She brings a wealth of local knowledge, a strong work ethic and a collaborative spirit to the position of city attorney,” said City Manager Charlie Bush.

Nelson-Gross currently serves as a deputy prosecuting attorney with the Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Her previous employment includes private practice and a three-year employment contract with the City of Sequim where she managed all aspects of the city’s Critical Areas and Shoreline Ordinance updates and assisted the city attorney’s office with a range of legal matters.

“I am very excited about this opportunity to work with the City of Sequim. The city is involved in some innovative projects and I’m looking forward to being a part of the team,” Nelson-Gross said.

She is a graduate of Clallam Bay High School and she earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Washington State University and a Doctor of Law degree from Seattle University Law School.

Her starting salary is $95,000 a year plus employee benefits of health, retirement, vacation and sick leave.