City Attorney

Responsibilities

The City Attorney is appointed by the City Council to be legal advisor to the city government. The City Attorney’s Office provides legal advice to City Council, Boards and Commissions, the City Manager and City Departments. The City Attorney is responsible for drafting ordinances, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents. The office represents the City in civil court to defend the City in actions taken against it and to initiate cases to enforce the City’s laws and actions. The office is also responsible for handling requests for public records, in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act

Bio

Danielle Ferguson Smith is a Virginia native and has served as the City Attorney for the City of Hopewell since July 2022.  She is a graduate of the T.C. Williams School of Law, Strayer University and James Madison University. 

In her spare time, she and her husband enjoy serving the Central Virginia community through their public service organizations.  She's also an avid reader and enjoys crochet.  As the City Attorney she is dedicated to serving the city through the representation of City Council and various city departments.