The move was planned during the city’s last contract signed with the law firm of both lawyers.

McGinty said the move will ease up his responsibilities at the office and allow him to spend more time at home.

“It’s just a time in my life to slow down and cut back and take it a bit more easy,” he said.

McGinty started as assistant city attorney in 1970 and was appointed city attorney in 1974.

In his more than four decades with the city, McGinty said he’s seen higher rates of student involvement in elections because of regulations allowing MSU students to go to the polls in East Lansing. He added that the city’s 1972 decision to include sexual discrimination protection in its civil rights ordinance also was a landmark move.

McGinty wrote an opinion stating the city was not pre-empted by state law from having its own civil rights ordinance.

“Our civil rights ordinance is a very active and groundbreaking body,” he said.

McGinty said Yeadon is prepared to step in and take on the increased responsibility.

“He’s been with this firm since he graduated from law school,” McGinty said of Yeadon. “He’s had some exceptional results.”

Yeadon has taken the lead on the city’s litigation for a number of years and said the change in position shouldn’t be too drastic for city officials.
“From the city’s perspective, I don’t think there’s going to be much of a change,” Yeadon said.