City Attorney Theresa James Accepts New Job Offer in Fort Worth

SAN ANGELO, TX — Theresa James, San Angelo’s current City Attorney, has announced her resignation to take a new position in Fort Worth. Her final day with the city will be October 11. She will leave behind a legacy of dedication and legal wins for San Angelo that would not have been possible if she wasn't an aggressive risk taker with the legal mind to back it all up.

James, who arrived in 2015 in the wake of the controversial trash contract negotiations, played a pivotal role in resolving the complexities surrounding the City’s decision to award Republic Services exclusive rights to both residential and commercial waste collection. Republic also initiated what has become a 20-year contract to conduct all operations of the city landfill under her tenure.

In late 2016, James took on what would become her legacy-making legal maneuver for San Angelo. She spearheaded the City’s effort to purchase the expansive 32,000-acre Ford Ranch, located west of Brady. The ranch sits atop the Hickory Aquifer, a critical source of groundwater for San Angelo. Believing that securing surface rights was essential to expanding the city’s water well field, James orchestrated the purchase and subsequent resale of the ranch. The risk of investing $55 million in City water department resources paid off when the well field was expanded, allowing the Hickory Aquifer to deliver up to 12 million gallons of water per day, securing the city’s long-term water supply. The water department ultimately broke even on the deal.

James also navigated the City through the 2021 water contamination crisis, during which benzene levels 35 times higher than the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) limit were discovered in city pipes. This occurred in the aftermath of the Valentine’s Day freeze brought on by Winter Storm Uri, which crippled much of Texas.

Earlier in her tenure, James became a key figure during the COVID-19 pandemic, working to mitigate the impact on local businesses as the City dealt with shutdowns. When Governor Greg Abbott later redefined nearly all businesses as “essential,” James helped facilitate holding the 2021 San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo despite pandemic-related restrictions. The event was successfully held in 2021 despite the pandemic, although show was delayed with no significant health impacts. This lead to the rodeo’s new dates where the show is now held in early April instead of mid-February.

In her new role, James will serve as the Deputy City Attorney for Fort Worth, overseeing the Government Affairs Division of the City Attorney’s Office.

Reflecting on her time in San Angelo, James expressed gratitude: “I am very proud of the time I have spent in the City of San Angelo and appreciate all the opportunities I was given during my time here. I am proud of our work in the purchase and sale of the Ford Ranch and with the West Texas Partnership, which helped secure water for the future of San Angelo.”

She also praised the behind-the-scenes work of public servants during various emergencies: “I leave behind staff that will continue the work of moving the City forward, and I will miss so many people in the City of San Angelo.”