The Town of Camp Verde has hired local attorney Paul Schlegel as its new chief magistrate.
Schlegel practices law out of Cottonwood and was hired last week after the Town Council interviewed two final candidates for the position at a Sept. 24 meeting.
“He’s very well-regarded,” said Veronica Pineda, who supervises the local court. “We’re looking forward to working with him.”
Pineda said that while contract details determine how long a magistrate serves, in the past it has typically been a two-year position dependant on renewal.
Allen Gerhardt was the other candidate interviewed, a Flagstaff-based attorney.
Schlegel and Gerhardt were among four candidates who applied for the position.
The town magistrate presides over the Camp Verde Municipal Court, which handles local matters of law and order.
Vice Mayor Jackie Baker and Councilwoman Carol German voted against appointing Schlegel to the position.
An interview committee had previously looked at the potential candidates, consisting of three council members, Town Manager Russ Martin, court staff, the current magistrate and a judge from the Yavapai County Superior Court.
To read the full story, see the Wednesday, Oct. 1, edition of The Camp Verde Journal.
