March 21, 2023 – At its March 20 meeting, Midland City Council named Chris Komara as Midland’s next city attorney replacing Jim Branson upon his retirement in December.
Komara joined the City of Midland Police Department as a patrol officer in 2005. He currently serves as an administrative lieutenant in the department. Throughout his career with the Midland Police Department, Komara has worked as a field training officer and police sergeant. In addition, Komara is a practicing attorney, earning his Juris Doctor from Michigan State University and operating his private practice since 2004.
Branson, who has served as city attorney since 2000, announced in January his plans to retire at the end of 2023. According to the City charter, Midland City Council hires two city employees: the city manager and the city attorney. City Council interviewed Komara for the position in January and voted unanimously to begin negotiations to hire him as Branson’s successor. City Council completed that employment agreement with Komara at Monday’s City Council meeting.
“City Council and I were extremely impressed with Chris and we know through his work at the Midland Police Department that he is a strong advocate for Midland. We look forward to his continued contributions to the City in this new role and to the same strong leadership that we have all come to expect and rely on from the city attorney’s office,” said Midland Mayor Maureen Donker.
Komara will begin transitioning to the new position in October to prepare for Branson’s departure in December.
For more information, contact the City Manager’s Office at 989-837-3301.
