City Attorney Paul Kratz will retire next month, concluding a nearly 23-year tenue leading the City of Omaha Law Department.

Kratz was hired by Mayor Haul Daub and has served under the administrations of Mike Fahey, Jim Suttle and Jean Stothert.

Matt Kuhse wil be named interim city attorney as Stothert began prepares to search for Kratz’s permanent replacement. Kratz will retire effective Dec. 11. Kuhse will take over Dec. 12.

“I have been fortunate as the city attorney to be involved in some of the most significant city-initiated development projects, such as the arena/convention center, the city-owned Hilton hotel, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, TD Ameritrade Park and the long-running College World Series contract, Kratz said in a statement. “In addition, the city attorney’s office has defended numerous multimillion-dollar lawsuits that presented significant legal issues.”

Kratz oversees 35 staff members, including 24 attorneys, in the civil and prosecution divisions. His role includes negotiating redevelopment agreements and managing litigation.

“Paul has been an important adviser, negotiator and taxpayer advocate for more than two decades,” Stothert said in a statement. “He has guided mayors and city councils to decisions that make Omaha the great and growing city it is today.”

Prior to working for the city, Kratz was a partner with McGill, Gotsdiner, Workman & Lepp PC LLO. He is a 1975 alumuns of the University of Nebraska College of Law.

“He has earned the trust of those he worked for and worked with,” Stothert said. “We all thank him for an outstanding career of service.”