Legal Department Staff
City Attorney - Gary C. Landers
City Attorney, Gary C. Landers
began his employment with the City of Tyler on January 2, 1985. Gary is the Department Leader of the Legal Department which has three divisions consisting of the City Attorney’s Office, City Clerk’s Office and Risk Management. Gary is a Key Leader with oversight responsibility for the Legal Department as well as the Public Health District. His primary department clients are City Manager, City Council, and Sales Tax Board.
He served on the Texas Municipal League Board of Directors from 2002 through 2006. He served as President of the Texas City Attorneys Association (1993-94). He served as President of the Rose City Kiwanis Club in 1989-90 and was active in the United Way from 1988 through 1992. He served on the Texas Municipal League Board of Directors from 2002 through 2006. He is a member of the IMLA Technology Committee.
Prior to working for the City of Tyler, Mr. Landers was an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Abilene, TX (1978-1984). In 1973, Mr. Landers earned a B.A. from McMurry University (Abilene, TX) with a History major and Political Science minor. He obtained his law degree from the University of Texas Law School in 1977.
Deputy City Attorney - Steven M. Kean
Deputy City Attorney, Steven M. Kean began his employment with the City of Tyler on December 21, 1989. His current primary department clients and responsibilities are Airport, Auditor, Development Services, Engineering, Fire, Planning and Zoning, Traffic and Transit. Upon request from these clients he handles legal research, contract review, ordinance drafting and subpoenas.
In 1983, Mr. Kean earned a B.A. from Auburn University with a Political Science major and a History minor. He obtained his law degree from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama in 1986.
Senior Assistant City Attorney - Deborah G. Pullum
Senior Assistant City Attorney, Deborah G. Pullum began her employment with the City of Tyler on November 1, 2004. Her current primary department clients and responsibilities are City Clerk, Code Enforcement, GIS, Human Resources, Municipal Court, Neighborhood Services, Redevelopment, Risk Management – Worker’s Compensation Claims, Solid Waste, Streets, Vehicle Equipment Services and Water. Upon request from these clients she handles legal research, contract review, ordinance drafting and subpoenas.
Prior to working for the City of Tyler, Mrs. Pullum was an Assistant District Attorney for the Smith County District Attorneys Office (1997-2004). In 1984, Mrs. Pullum earned a B.S. from Florida A&M University with a Business Administration major and an Accounting minor. She obtained her law degree from Marshall-Wyth School of Law College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 1996.
Assistant City Attorney – Karen L. Stead
Assistant City Attorney, Karen L. Stead began her employment with the City of Tyler Legal Department on November 5, 2007. Her current primary department clients and responsibilities are City University, Communications, Finance, Information Technology, Lean Sigma, Library, Parks, Police, Risk Management – Property and Casualty Claims, and Tyler Main Street Program. Upon request from these clients she handles legal research, contract drafting and review, public information requests, ordinance drafting, policy review as well as review of all public notices.
Karen has happily returned to East Texas where she grew up and graduated from Whitehouse High School – Class of 1992. Karen has a unique background and brings a dynamic attitude with her to the City. In the mid-1990’s Karen managed a retail silver store in Plano, Texas where she served numerous clients. Karen later earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Directing from the University of North Texas (UNT), Denton, Texas. Karen earned her J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, Texas in 2007. She is a licensed attorney and member of the State Bar of Texas.
Legal Secretary -
Judy Fokakis
Legal Secretary, Judy Fokakis began her employment with City of Tyler on September 9, 1992. Prior to that, she was the legal secretary for the City of Texarkana from 1982 to 1992. Her current duties include legal support, agenda support, office management and maintaining the City Code and Policies.
Legal/Risk/City Clerk Secretary - Robbie Gribble
Legal/Risk/City Clerk Secretary, Robbie Gribble began her employment with the City of Tyler on June 16, 2009. Her duties include claims handling, Property and Casualty liason, Third Party Administration, insurance liaison, and legal support.