Longtime Morganton resident Keith Rigsbee steps up as City Attorney

For longtime Morganton resident Keith Rigsbee, serving as the new city attorney is more than a job — it’s an honor.

“I am very familiar with Morganton and have seen it evolve and grow through the years, and I have personally witnessed and experienced its successes,” Rigsbee said. “It is my honor to have been invited to participate and work with the team that has guided the City in such a successful way.”

Municipal attorney positions don’t become available often, so Rigsbee decided to grab the opportunity. He thought he would be a great fit for the City. He applied four months before he was hired.

Rigsbee is replacing Louis Vinay, who retired in September after serving as the City’s attorney for a dozen years and a law career spanning four decades.

The City’s new legal eagle is also no slouch in the experience department. He has 34 years under his legal belt, coming to this post from Starnes Aycock Law Firm in Morganton. He brings to the City more than his knowledge of multiple legal disciplines. Morganton also holds a special place in his heart. He and his wife, Traci, have raised their three kids here and he is proud to call the city his home.

Rigsbee will officially start in December, providing legal assistance and guidance for the City along with overseeing partnerships, contracts, zoning, real estate, economic development, and employment issues.

Sitting in his office on a rainy Thursday afternoon, Rigsbee spoke more of his background and his new role that will help shape Morganton’s future.

EDUCATION AND LAW

Born in Durham, Rigsbee grew up in Burke County after his family moved here in his sixth-grade year. He went to Drexel Junior High, then graduated from East Burke in 1983.

Once he graduated, he set his sights on his undergraduate and law degrees at Wake Forest University, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in politics in 1987 and a juris doctor from the university’s School of Law in 1990. He also spent a semester in his junior year at American University in a foreign policy-based program.

Rigsbee said his attraction to the legal realm developed from studying political science and his interest in lobbying.

With degrees in hand, he began as an intern with Mitchell, Blackwell & Mitchell firm in Valdese and shortly thereafter was a full-time attorney. He spent 11 years with the Valdese firm then started his solo practice in January 2002. After five and a half years, he joined his recent employer in June 2007 — Starnes Aycock Law Firm.

PRIVATE TO PUBLIC SECTOR

Up to this point in his career, Rigsbee has represented numerous clients and settled their legal needs in court. Now he will have one client — the City — and represent only their personnel and leadership.

Although Rigsbee is excited for this new chapter, he will miss his day-to-day with the public.

“I’ll miss being able to interact with people of the public, but I’m excited for this good change,” he said.

In the final weeks before he starts, Rigsbee is transitioning his clients and settling a few matters with the courts. December, for him, will be a transitional period in which he will be working with Vinay and the staff.

He hopes to be full-time in January while the City is currently in the hiring process for a paralegal.

“I have enjoyed living in Morganton and feel fortunate to have settled here. Morganton is uniquely located in an exceptional area of our state with convenient access to many activities and opportunities for exploration and entertainment. I am very proud to have called this city and county home,” Rigsbee said.