ITHACA, NY (CortacaToday) – After a months-long search, there’s a new city attorney in Ithaca.

Victor Kessler was sworn in on Thursday, July 11. Common Council approved his appointment at its Wednesday night meeting. Kessler, an Ithaca resident since 2020, was hired as assistant city attorney in 2021 and has been acting city attorney since January 2024 after the departure of former City Attorney Ari Lavine.

“Victor Kessler has served our city with distinction during a complicated period of transition,” said Mayor Robert Cantelmo. “His legal expertise, strong work ethic, and commitment to our community all make him the ideal choice for this role.”

Kessler received his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and graduated magna cum laud from Georgetown University Law Center. In a statement, City Manager Deb Mohlenhoff says after graduating, Kessler “worked for a global law firm in its D.C. and Chicago offices, focusing on complex civil litigation while maintaining an active pro bono practice in asylum and litigation matters.”

Maury Josephson, formerly of the Ithaca City Attorney’s Office, began as Tompkins County Attorney on May 28 after his appointment earlier this year.