Wendell Willard has been the first and only Sandy Springs city attorney since its incorporation in 2005. Now, Willard — a Sandy Springs Republican who also is state representative from the 51st House District — is retiring as the city’s chief legal counsel July 1.

While the city attorney is appointed by the mayor, the supporting legal staff is secured through a procured contract agreement, officials said. So, the city has issued a request for qualifications. Actually, its second; an RFQ issued in December closed without a selection.

“Given the complexity and significance of our legal support, I want to ensure that we have proposals to evaluate which are pulled in from the widest possible pool,” Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said. Proposals are due by 2 p.m. March 22.

Information is available on the city's website, www.sandyspringsga.gov, under City Procurements: Municipal Legal Services, 17-054.

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John Raulet, a partner in Raulet Property Partners, stands in the soundstage at Mailing Street Stageworks, Tuesday, August 26, 2025, in Atlanta. Raulet’s company has either converted or sold off all but one of its soundstages amid a downturn in film production in the U.S. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com