San Jose’s city attorney plans to retire later this year — and Mayor Matt Mahan is quietly leading the search for the next top lawyer to help advise and defend new city policies.

City Hall sources, who asked for anonymity to speak freely, told San José Spotlight Mahan’s office is narrowing down a field of candidates through several rounds of interviews, with the help of a recruiter and hiring panel with select City Council colleagues. His office is expected to propose candidates for council consideration within the next month, though sources said the date has not been finalized.

City Attorney Nora Frimann said the search has been in the works for a few months, and she won’t retire until her replacement is selected.

“My retirement date has depended on the appointment of a new city attorn

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