Mayor Rob Rolison announced today the appointment of city resident Rebecca A. Valk as Corporation Counsel, pending Common Council approval.
Attorney Valk served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the city for two years, from 2013 to 2015, when she gained experience in labor and employment law, defending the city in grievances, arbitrations and proceedings before the New York Public Employment Relations Board.
Her private practice work has included municipal, land-use and zoning laws, real estate contracts and related litigation. She has represented a broad range of mixed-use and commercial developers, small businesses, farmers, non-profits and private landowners. She also has regularly appeared before City/Town/Village boards, Planning Boards, Zoning Boards of Appeal, as well as various state agencies.
“We are fortunate to have such an experienced and gifted attorney join our team and overseeing the critically important Law Department,” said Mayor Rob Rolison. “I am confident Rebecca will represent the city with a high level of professionalism and as a model public servant.”
Valk said, “I am both honored and humbled to be asked to serve in such an important position. I love being a homeowner in the City and taking advantage of everything our amazing community has to offer. I look forward to returning to City Hall to work with the many dedicated public servants.”
Valk is a graduate of Saint John's University School of Law and Marist College, where she majored in political science. She currently serves on the Board of Anderson Center for Autism and Anderson Center Services, Inc. and is the Corresponding Secretary of the Mid-Hudson Women’s Bar Association. Valk is a Past President of the Dutchess County Bar Association and a former Board Member of Anderson Foundation for Autism.