Waco City Council Appoints New City Attorney

Created on February 05, 2025 at 08:00 AM

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, Waco City Council unanimously voted to appoint Kristen Hamilton-Karam as the new City Attorney for the City of Waco.

With more than 13 years of municipal legal experience and a deep commitment to public service, Kristen is exceptionally qualified to guide the city’s legal efforts and be a trusted advisor to city leadership.

The City of Waco would like to extend its gratitude to Interim City Attorney Kathleen Perdon for her service and leadership during this transition.

District III Councilmember Josh Borderud, District II Councilmember Alice Rodriguez, Mayor Jim Holmes, City Attorney Kristen Hamilton-Karam, District I Councilmember Andrea Barefield, District IV Councilmember Darius Ewing, and District V Councilmember George Chase.

About Kristen Hamilton-Karam

Kristen most recently served as Deputy City Attorney for the City of El Paso, where she provided critical legal counsel on a broad variety of uniquely municipal issues, including city charter amendments, litigation, public information compliance, land use, and departmental operations. She led legal teams supporting citywide initiatives and high-stakes litigation and successfully worked with various stakeholders to help carry projects forward and ensure compliance with municipal, state, and federal laws.

Her prior roles include Assistant General Counsel for the El Paso Independent School District and experience in private practice, where she gained valuable insights into governmental procurement, civil defense, and real estate law. Kristen’s extensive experience also includes providing guidance on public-private partnerships, drafting and negotiating complex agreements, and advising city leaders in areas such as employment law and municipal governance.

A 2007 Seton Hall University School of Law graduate, Kristen also holds a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies: Psychology and Missiology from Nyack College.