City of Raleigh Names Karen Musgrave McDonald New City Attorney

RALEIGH – After an extensive nationwide search, the city of Raleigh has selected Karen Musgrave McDonald as its next City Attorney. McDonald currently serves as the City Attorney for her native city of Fayetteville. She will serve as legal advisor to the Mayor and Council, City staff, and various boards and commissions of the City of Raleigh and lead the office’s professional and administrative staff.

McDonald has extensive municipal legal experience. She is currently the Chief Legal Officer for the City of Fayetteville, serving the mayor, city council, and Fayetteville’s 1600 employees. She was appointed to this role in 2002, the first African American and first female in the role.

“Karen McDonald is an exceptionally talented attorney with diverse experience and strong leadership skills,” said Mayor Pro Tem Corey Branch. “Her talents have served the City of Fayetteville well, and I am grateful that she has chosen the City of Raleigh for her next step.”

She began her career in Fayetteville as the first Assistant City Attorney, providing counsel for the police, fire, and inspections departments on code enforcement issues, as well as neighborhood improvement. She then joined the legal team for the Cumberland County government to broader her municipal experience. She moved to Little Rock, Arkansas to serve in the Pulaski County Civil Attorney’s office, and then moved to the University of Arkansas before returning to Fayetteville.

“Raleigh will benefit from the broad and deep experience in municipal government that Karen McDonald will bring to Raleigh,” said Councilmember Jonathan Melton, who helped to lead the search on behalf of the City Council. “Throughout the process, her ability to listen, problem-solve and advise was evident. We look forward to her counsel.”

McDonald currently serves on the North Carolina League of Municipalities Board and was president of the North Carolina Municipal Attorneys Association in 2021. She is licensed to practice law in North Carolina, Georgia, and Arkansas.

“I am excited for the opportunity to serve the City of Raleigh and to provide the legal guidance it needs as it builds on its reputation as one of the best places to live, work and play,” McDonald said.  “I am grateful for the trust of the City Council, and I look forward to this new opportunity.”

McDonald is the proud mother of two children, Jalen and Lauren. Jalen is a rising sophomore at Georgia Tech University and Lauren is a rising high school senior. She has been married to John McDonald, Jr. for over 23 years. An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Karen earned her B.A. in English with a minor in Biology and her law degree from Wake Forest University.