City of Portsmouth Announces Selection of Susan Morrell, Esq. as Next City Attorney

City Manager Karen Conard has chosen NH Senior Assistant Attorney General Susan G. Morrell, Esq. to serve as the next City Attorney, succeeding Robert Sullivan, Esq. who is retiring after 40 years in that post. Attorney Morrell’s starting date is August 8, 2022.

Attorney Morrell comes to the post after two stints with the New Hampshire Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General (1999 to 2022 and 1990 to 1995) and brings a four-decade career in law to her new responsibilities. In addition to her career in prosecutorial law with the Office of the Attorney General, and as Deputy County Attorney and then Assistant County Attorney for the Stafford County Attorney’s Office, she served as Assistant City Attorney and then Acting City Attorney for the City of Keene. She received her BA in Political Science from the University of Maine at Orono and her law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center (UNH School of Law). She is a resident of Portsmouth NH.

In making the announcement, City Manager Conard said, “The City’s demands on our Legal Department are significant. Attorney Sullivan’s knowledge, experience and familiarity with the nuances of cases involving the City are vast, and we knew it would be challenging to find a candidate who could answer our needs and ensure a smooth transition. Attorney Morrell brings both deep understanding of the law in New Hampshire and specific experience in the responsibilities of a city attorney to the job. I believe she will be an immediate asset to the City.”

Attorney Morrell said, “I am honored to be chosen to succeed Attorney Sullivan as Portsmouth’s City Attorney.  I look forward to this unique opportunity to make a significant contribution to this thriving community.”  

Attorney Sullivan will continue with the City in a part-time, of counsel capacity, to advise on various legal matters and ongoing litigation.