ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) — Ithaca’s city attorney is leaving.

Ari Lavine has announced his departure after a dozen years at the end of 2023. Lavine says he’s thankful for working first with former Mayor Svante Myrick, and with Laura Lewis, the city’s current mayor.

Two years ago, at the Common Council meeting in which Mayor Myrick marked a decade in office and announced his departure from City government, he reflected that, “Choosing Ari as the City Attorney was my first decision I made as Mayor, and my best.” Tonight, I am announcing my departure from City government, with deep gratitude for the opportunity to accomplish all that we did, with fervent hope for the future of this exceptional city that we all love, and with deep thanks to the incredible staff of the City Attorney’s Office.

Lavine plans to help with the transition to his replacement through the early part of 2024.