City Attorney's Office

The City Attorney's Office provides legal review, advice, and opinions to the City Council, City Manager's Office, City departments, and boards and commissions. These services may include contract review and approvals; enforcement of ordinance violations; drafting and approval of legal documents; ordinance, resolution, and legislative drafting and review; and any other review that may be required. The services are provided in a timely and effective manner and form the basis for many City initiatives and actions. The City Council, City Manager's Office, City departments, and boards and commissions depend upon the legal review, advice, and opinions provided by the City Attorney's Office.

The City Attorney's Office provides litigation services in State and Federal courts for suits initiated by or against the City. These suits are typically initiated in the areas of contracts, code enforcement, zoning, and personal injury. The Office also provides litigation services for claims against the Fayetteville Police Department, employment claims initiated by present and past employees, and environmental court cases for code violations. The program provides high-quality professional representation, typically resulting in favorable results. The avoidance of litigation through the negotiation of claims and disputes is often as successful and important to the City as is litigation. Litigation is handled by in-house counsel and outside counsel as the need arises.

Lachelle H. Pulliam has served as City Attorney for Fayetteville since April 2024.

Her previous experience includes serving as the Judicial Affairs Coordinator at Johnson C. Smith University, managing her own law practice where she negotiated complex business contracts, handled civil transactions and litigation, as well as represented indigent individuals in contempt and juvenile cases. She also briefly served as an Assistant Solicitor for the City of Atlanta.

Pulliam grew up in Fayetteville and is a graduate of E. E. Smith High School. She is a member of the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys and is licensed to practice law in both North Carolina and Georgia.