Los Gatos Set To Hire New Town Attorney

LOS GATOS, CA — The town of Los Gatos is set to name Gabriella Whelan as its next town attorney.

If her employment agreement is approved by the town council on Tuesday, Whelan will replace Robert Schultz, who resigned from the post at the end of last year but has been serving as the Interim Town Attorney. Schultz had served as town attorney since 2013.

Whelan has served as the assistant city attorney of the city of San Mateo since 2008. She got her law degree at Santa Clara University in 1994, according to her LinkedIn page.

“I look forward to joining the team in Los Gatos and providing legal advice andservices to the Town Council and staff," Whelan said. "This is a wonderful opportunity.”

Among her accomplishments, Whelan lists processing entitlements for a 100 percent affordable housing project under Assembly Bill 1763, implementing a 20-year development agreement and specific plan and drafting an accessory dwelling unit ordinance.

The town conducted a "competitive recruitment process" with the help of executive search firm Teri Black & Company, according to a staff report.

“On behalf of the Council, we are excited to welcome Ms. Whelan to Los Gatos," Los Gatos Mayor Rob Rennie said. "She brings excellent expertise in municipal legal matters, particularly regarding land use, housing, environmental review, employment, elections, and other technical areas.”

Whelan’s first day would be May 16 and she would make $249,000 a year, according to her employment agreement.

The council meeting on Tuesday begins at 7 p.m. Click here for information on how to join the meeting.