CINCINNATI — The City of Cincinnati’s top attorney is leaving to take an executive position with The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, the organizations announced in a joint statement Friday.

Cincinnati City Solicitor Andrew Garth joins The Port’s leadership team as executive vice president and general counsel, per the release. His duties include overseeing the organization’s legal affairs and helping to manage what The Port described as “strategic initiatives as part of the agency’s leadership team.”

Formed in 2001, The Port works with the city and Hamilton County to stimulate growth of the regional economy through redevelopment projects such as manufacturing and residential communities.

Cincinnati City Solicitor Andrew Garth is leaving City Hall to take an executive position with The Port. (Photo courtesy of City of Cincinnati)

“We’re delighted to welcome Andrew and his track record and depth of experience in government, infrastructure, public policy, and city operations,” said Laura N. Brunner, president and CEO of The Port. “Andrew will play a critical leadership role for us as we continue our efforts to transform unproductive real estate into opportunities for employment and housing.”

Garth joins The Port after more than a decade with the city. Legal positions he’s held with the city include chief transportation attorney, chief of staff and deputy solicitor. He’s been city solicitor for the past two years where he oversaw the city’s legal department.

Prior to joining the city solicitor’s office, Garth was a deputy city attorney for the city and county of San Francisco, less than 40 miles from Stanford University where he earned his law degree. Garth previously worked as an associate in the environmental, regulatory and energy group at Dorsey & Whitney LLP. 

“It has been a privilege to work closely with Mayor Aftab, Council, and the city administration as city solicitor,” Garth said. “I could not pass up, however, an opportunity to join The Port leadership team in its ground-breaking initiatives in equitable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and industrial redevelopment.”

Interim City Manager John Curp, himself a former Cincinnati city solicitor, tapped longtime city attorney Emily Smart Woerner to take over for Garth during the search for a permanent replacement. Her term as interim city solicitor begins Aug. 12 after Garth’s departure.

The city manager oversees the hiring of the city solicitor.

“I am proud to have hired Andrew into the law department many years ago,” Curp said. “His skills and relationships will serve the City and The Port well as we continue our strategic economic development partnership. He will be missed by his many friends and colleagues at City Hall.”  

Garth’s departure continues a shakeup among the highest ranks at City Hall. The city is in the middle of national searches for both a permanent city manager and a permanent police chief. Curp, who is handling the national search for the police chief, is a candidate for the permanent city manager position, according to a spokesperson for the city manager’s office.

Mayor Aftab Pureval named Curp his pick for interim city manager Dec. 27. At the time, Pureval hadn’t yet taken office. The announcement of Curp came just hours after the resignation of former City Manager Paula Boggs Muething.

Curp had been working as an attorney in private practice prior to returning to the city Jan. 19. Pureval’s office is handling the search for the city manager.

“The addition of Mr. Garth to The Port will further reinforce the City’s already strong relationship with The Port,” Pureval said of Garth’s move. “I have no doubt that Andrew’s experience and city background will result in even more opportunities to pursue shared priorities in equity, neighborhood revitalization, and the economic resiliency of the region.”

Curp’s contract calls for him to be paid about $265,000 annually. The contract calls for him to be paid at least 75% of that salary if he takes another senior level management role at the city.

The city guaranteed Curp's salary for at least two and half years, assuming he’s not fired for cause, per his contract. If he’s fired before the selection of a permanent city manager, Curp receives six months of severance plus any accrued sick time.

Spectrum News reached out to Pureval’s office for comment on the search for a new city manager. As of publication of this story, his office hadn’t responded.