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Chelsea Helmer takes on role as Duluth City Clerk

[Duluth, MN] – The City of Duluth has hired Duluth attorney Chelsea Helmer as the new City Clerk. Helmer brings her substantial professional experience and personal commitment to customer service, good governance and voter engagement to the role, which administers the city’s election, licensing programs, voter registration and clerk to the City Council. 

Helmer has extensive experience working in municipal government. She most recently served as an Associate Attorney with the law firm of Maki & Overom, Ltd where she provided legal support to local governments in the region.  She previously served as a Research Law Clerk for the League of Minnesota Cities and as the Assistant City Clerk for the City of Duluth.

Helmer’s community involvement has focused on voter education and advocacy. She recently completed her tenure as President of the League of Women Voters Duluth and served on their Board of Directors for six years, during which she chaired the production of the League’s annual Voter Guide. She was recently recognized as one of 20 Under 40 leaders by the Duluth News Tribune for her community involvement.

“We are thrilled to have Ms. Helmer’s legal and community expertise and strong leadership skills to lead the City Clerk’s office. Ms. Helmer is equipped with the right skills to fulfill the vision for this office, enhance customer service for all residents and deeply engage residents to take part in democracy,” said Duluth Mayor Emily Larson.  

“I am excited for the opportunity to serve the residents of Duluth in this role. The City Clerk’s office is the administrative backbone for City operations, and I look forward to utilizing my experiences and legal training to provide efficient, effective, and transparent service to our residents,” said Helmer. 

Helmer grew up in the Duluth area and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.  She holds a law degree, Summa Cum Laude, from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where she was a Dean’s Scholarship Award Recipient and earned awards in Banking Law, Income Tax, Employment Law, and Foundations for Negotiation/Mediation.  She is a trained mediator and is a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral.

Helmer will join the City of Duluth on May 22, 2018.

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