GREENVILLE, N.C. - The Greenville City Council during a special meeting on Monday appointed Emanuel D. McGirt as its next City Attorney. McGirt has served as the senior assistant city attorney for the City of Durham since 1997.

McGirt will fill the role being vacated by David Holec, who is retiring November 1. He will begin his new position on October 30 at a salary of $156,633 annually. 

"I am pleased to have been selected as the next City Attorney for the City of Greenville," McGirt said. "I have worked for the City of Durham for more than 20 years as an Assistant City Attorney, and I am excited to have the opportunity to lead a municipal law office. I have big shoes to fill in replacing David Holec, and I look forward to assisting the Mayor and City Council in carrying out its mission to provide all citizens with high-quality services and ensure a community of excellence."

McGirt will be responsible for providing legal advice and representation to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and other City officials and employees on a broad range of issues. He brings a wealth of experience in municipal government where he represented the City of Durham in the state and federal trial and appellate courts including defending Board of Adjustment decisions appealed to superior court. Drafting modifications to code enforcement ordinances and providing legal advice regarding the enforcement of codes, including housing codes were also among McGirt's duties in Durham.

"We are thrilled to appoint a new City Attorney with the qualifications of Mr. McGirt," Greenville Mayor Kandie Smith said. "He has worked in municipal government for many years, and his experience will serve our City well. I also want to thank Dave Holec for his service, and wish him well in retirement."

McGirt earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1993. He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Morehouse College in 1988. In addition to his duties with the City of Durham, McGirt is also an associate minister at the Mount Level Baptist Church in Durham, a position he has held since 2006.

McGirt is married to the former Dorothy Meeks, and they are the proud parents of four children, three young adults and one high school senior. Their son, Emanuel McGirt Jr., is a junior at North Carolina State University and a member of the Wolfpack football team.