MARTINSVILLE, Va. (rbs news now) — Martinsville City Council has appointed Eric W. Payne, Esq. as the city attorney designee during a special session held on August 15.

Payne, currently an attorney in the District of Columbia, will officially assume the role once admitted to the Virginia State Bar.

He brings over 30 years of legal and government experience to Martinsville.

The release said Payne has held significant roles in various governmental and legal institutions, including serving as the Director of Contracts for the District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff at the United States Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration Bureau, and a senior role at the Chicago Housing Authority.

Payne served as one of the youngest aides in the Clinton administration and as a Staff Assistant in the Office of Communications Research at the White House.

He has also held international roles in South Africa and Saudi Arabia, managing governmental and commercial legal matters, including multi-billion-dollar foreign military sales contracts, according to a news release.

Payne is a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law and has completed coursework toward a Master of Law in Government Procurement Law at the George Washington University
Law School.

He is admitted to the Bars of Illinois (inactive) and the District of Columbia and is eligible for Virginia State Bar admission.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the City of Martinsville as its city attorney,” said Payne. “I look forward to working closely with the city council, the city manager, and all city departments to ensure that we uphold the highest standards of legal and ethical governance for the good of the citizens of Martinsville.”

Payne will assume his role as acting managing director of development on September 1 until the position is permanently filled.

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