Brentwood appoints Thomas Smith as interim city attorney

BRENTWOOD  — Brentwood appointed Thomas Lloyd Smith as interim city attorney as the city continues its search for a permanent replacement.

Smith, of Redwood Public Law, will replace outgoing Brentwood City Attorney Katherine Wisinski, whose last day is March 7.

After working with the city of Brentwood for nearly eight years, Wisinski will be leaving the role she has had since 2024 to become assistant city attorney for the city of Pleasanton.

The Brentwood City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved Smith’s interim position.

A Harvard law graduate, Smith previously worked for the city of San Leandro as an assistant city attorney. He was then hired by the city of Antioch in 2019, where he became the first African-American city attorney appointed there and served until his resignation in January 2025.

According to a staff report, Smith’s compensation will be based on an hourly billing rate, with a cap not to exceed $250,000 for his legal services. Funding will come from the 2025-2026 general fund operating budget.

The Brentwood City Council has selected executive recruitment firm Peckham and McKenney to identify candidates for the permanent position.