LINCOLN - Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird has picked a new top attorney for the capital city.

Baird announced on Thursday that she has nominated Deputy Lancaster County Attorney, Yohance Christie, to be Lincoln's next city attorney.

The mayor says the nomination is part of an effort to build her cabinet with new voices who share her administration's vision of a more successful, secure, and shared future for the city.

"Mr. Christie has spent his career ensuring that the rights afforded by our judicial system are fulfilled," Baird shared. "I appreciate his strong advocacy for prosecutorial reform which will be a focus of his work as city attorney."

Christie has served as a public defender in Lancaster County for 10 years.

He is president of the board of directors for Family Service Lincoln, a board member for Civic Nebraska as well as a member of the NAACP Lincoln Chapter.

Christie is a lifelong Lincoln resident who graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2009 and says the challenges facing the justice system provide a great opportunity to enact change.

"In consultation with the Mayor, the Lincoln City Council, and other community advisers and stakeholders, I will engage in efforts to enact bail reform, increase transparency about our work, and collaborate with law enforcement to continue the journey towards equity and justice for all residents of Lincoln."

Baird says Christie will take over as city attorney on July 21 pending city council approval.

Christie would replace Jeff Kirkpatrick, who has served as city attorney since 2014.

Kirkpatrick ran for mayor in 2019 but lost to Baird in the primary.