The Town of Los Gatos has selected its new legal leader.
Gabrielle Whelan, who’s been working as Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Mateo, has been chosen to succeed Rob Schultz, Los Gatos’ previous Town Attorney.
“On behalf of the Council, we are excited to welcome Ms. Whelan to Los Gatos,” said Mayor Rob Rennie in a press release. “She brings excellent expertise in municipal legal matters, particularly regarding land use, housing, environmental review, employment, elections, and other technical areas.”
Torrance-based recruiting firm Teri Black & Company, LLC, handled the recruitment drive. Whelan, a practicing attorney for 25 years, is set to begin her employment in Los Gatos May 16.
“I look forward to joining the team in Los Gatos and providing legal advice and services to the Town Council and staff,” she said in the release. “This is a wonderful opportunity.”
She achieved a law doctorate in 1994 from Santa Clara University, after studying art history at Dartmouth College in the 1980s.
‘I think we’re fortunate that she’s joined us.”
—Coun. Matthew Hudes
While in San Mateo she was responsible for processing paperwork connected to a 100% affordable housing project, as well as drafting an accessory dwelling unit ordinance.
Schultz retired in December, but has been serving as Interim Town Attorney.
Coun. Matthew Hudes said he’s impressed with Whelan’s resume, which includes positions in communities with populations from 20,000 to 110,000 people.
“I think she’s perfectly suited to the kinds of legal issues we have now—and going forward,” he said. “We’re a small town, but we have the breadth of the kinds of things for which we need legal advice.”
He predicts she’ll soon be busy preparing contacts, as well as digging into land use and employment matters.
“I’m absolutely looking forward to working with her,” he said. “I think we’re fortunate that she’s joined us.”
Council will still need to finalize the decision in the coming days to make it official.
