Syracuse corporation counsel Price steps down, replaced by Smith

Price was appointed to the role of corporation counsel at the end of December after a 40-year career practicing business and corporate law.

According to Walsh, Price came to him at the end of the January and let him know that he had concluded the position was not the right fit for him. “In the best interest of the city and himself,” Price decided to step down, Walsh’s office said.

“I didn’t foresee this change coming when I became mayor, but I’m very pleased that Kristen is ready to bring her talent and expertise to the public sector,” Walsh said in the release. “She is a highly respected lawyer with the skills and qualifications we need to be our next corporation counsel. Kristen is committed to our city and has chosen to build her career and raise her family here.”

Walsh called Price a “true professional who cares about the city.”

“I’ll regret that he’s not on our team, but I respect his decision and wish him well. Because of his forthrightness and willingness to continue to serve until now, the city is in a better position to transition to Kristen Smith as our next corporation counsel,” said Walsh.

Smith will leave Bond, Schoeneck & King to take over as corporation counsel in March. First Assistant Corporation Counsel Joe Barry, who served as acting corporation counsel at the end of last year, will resume the acting designation until Smith joins the city.

Smith has spent the past 12 years practicing at Bond, Schoeneck & King with a focus on employment and labor law, Walsh’s office said. Smith earned her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in industrial and labor relations. After working in the personnel and recruiting industry for six years, she earned her law degree from the Syracuse University College of Law.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com