Clayton’s chief staff attorney leaving for Invest Atlanta

Clayton County’s top legal counsel has left the county to take a job with Invest Atlanta, the economic development arm of the city of Atlanta.

Chief staff attorney Christie Barnes’ last day in Clayton government was Friday. Barnes was head of the county’s legal department. She was a fixture at county commission meetings guiding the five-member board through legal matters it confronted during the twice-a-month meetings. Barnes had been chief staff attorney for about two years. She has been with Clayton government since October 2005.

Barnes will be vice president of compliance at Invest Atlanta.

“Professionally, it was a great opportunity,” Barnes said Tuesday afternoon during her going-away reception at the administration complex in Jonesboro.

“Ms. Barnes has been a consummate professional and great friend,” said Detrick Stanford, the county’s chief operating officer. “She understood the framework of the county and understood what we’re trying to obtain from the legal end. She certainly will be missed.”

She’s a fine young lady. She did a good job while I was there. She’s a fine lawyer,” said Jack Hancock who serves as county attorney handling outside legal projects. Barnes reported to Hancock when he served as interim chief staff attorney several years ago.