At the Sept. 3 meeting, the Queen Creek Town Council appointed Cliff Mattice as the first in-house attorney. Since the Town incorporated in 1989, it has been contracting legal services; earlier this year the Council made the strategic decision to create an in-house Town Attorney Department.
“As the Town has developed, the Council has been intentional in moving contracted services in-house, evaluating efficiencies and costs,” stated Queen Creek Vice Mayor Leah Martineau. “Appointing the first Town Attorney is a major milestone for the community and we are confident that Cliff’s expertise will be pivotal as we make this transition.”
The Town’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 budget includes four positions in the Town Attorney Department. Cliff’s initial priorities will be developing the department and working closely with the Town’s current contracted legal services to ensure consistency for the organization and the community.
“I'm honored to join the Town of Queen Creek as its first in-house Town Attorney, bringing my experience to support our Council and citizens as our community grows,” Cliff Mattice shared. “This new chapter offers a unique opportunity to build a collaborative legal team from the ground up, ensuring that our expanding town is guided by sound, proactive counsel. I'm committed to working hand-in-hand with our elected leaders and staff to navigate challenges and help shape a thriving future for Queen Creek.”
Mattice has more than 30 years of legal experience, with the majority of that experience directly related to municipal government, serving both the City of Tempe and the Town of Florence. Mattice is slated to start in October and will be instrumental in providing legal guidance to the Town Council, departments directors, commissions and boards.
The decision to create an in-house Town Attorney Department reflects the Town’s continued growth, increasing complexity of operations, and evolving service needs. Transitioning to the internal department increases accessibility and allows for more proactive legal planning.
For more information about the Town, visit QueenCreekAZ.gov. To report non-emergency issues, please visit QueenCreekAZ.gov/SeeClickFix.
Media Contact:
Constance Halonen-Wilson, Communication & Marketing Manager
480-358-3195
QCPIO@QueenCreekAZ.gov