Hikel named Mesquite Senior Assistant City Attorney

The City of Mesquite has hired Gordon R. Hikel as Senior Assistant City Attorney.

Hikel, who started on May 1, comes to the City with more than 30 years of experience in a variety of legal areas, including criminal and civil law, Texas Open Meetings Act and Texas Public Information Act, land use, zoning and public contracts.

Most recently, Hikel served as an Assistant County Administrator for Dallas County, where he managed public defenders as well as several forensic departments including pre-trial, criminal justice and forensic science. Hikel also supervised the purchasing and small business enterprise departments.

He previously worked in the Dallas County District Attorney's Office as a Felony Court Chief trying criminal cases. His duties also included serving as the Civil Division Chief, overseeing more than 20 attorneys and managing daily operations of a multi-law practice.

Before Dallas County, Hikel worked as the City Attorney for The Colony and Assistant City Attorney in Flower Mound and McKinney.

Hikel earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University's School of Law and a bachelor's degree from Long Island University. His honors include being named in 2004 by Texas Monthly magazine as a "Texas Rising Star," a recognition for the top 2.5 percent of up-and-coming Texas attorneys.

As Mesquite's Senior Assistant City Attorney, Hikel will be responsible for legal transactions, including procurement, contracts, real estate and economic development.