The city of Mercer Island has hired a new assistant city attorney and prosecutor. Shane Moloney began his position among city staff last week, working with prosecutor Blakeley Warbinton, from Moberly and Roberts, as well as City Attorney Katie Knight.

“We’re delighted to have Shane on board,” Knight said. “He’s shadowing our prosecutor, Blakely Warbington, now and soon we’ll get him rolling on the civil stuff.”

Moloney, who is a resident of Mercer Island, is more than happy to be working minutes away from home.

“I’m very excited. The staff here — they’re great people. They’re very enthusiastic about what they do,” he said.

Before being hired by Mercer Island, Moloney worked for Short Cressman & Burgess in Seattle as an associate in municipal law, employment law and litigation. Toward the end of his four years with the company, he assisted the cities of Mill Creek and Bothell. Making the private municipal career change to Mercer Island was a step that Moloney said he was eager to take.

“I really wanted to focus on municipal work. The opportunity came up, and it was sort of a dream job,” he said.

Moloney earned his Juris Doctorate in law at the University of Washington in 2004. Prior to that, he received a bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University. The new assistant city attorney is married with one son and “a second one on the way.”

For a city directory and services information, go to www.mercergov.org.