Czajkowski Higgins named PdC’s official city attorney
Lara Czajkowski Higgins is ready to take on her new role as Prairie du Chien’s city attorney. Her first official day with the title will be Aug. 1. (Photo by Caitlin Bittner)
By Caitlin Bittner
With Tom Peterson’s retirement as the city attorney for Prairie du Chien, Lara Czajkowski Higgins was announced as one of two new city attorneys.
Czajkowski Higgins is a native of rural Wauzeka and attended St. John’s Catholic School, as well as Wauzeka High School, graduating in 1993. Afterward, she attended Grinnell College in Iowa, receiving her bachelors of arts degree in political science in 1997.
Following her undergraduate education, Czajkowski Higgins moved to Washington, D.C., and worked for a year before returning to school, this time at Villanova University School of Law, to receive her juris doctor in 2001.
When Czajkowski Higgins graduated, she entered into work at a large law firm for a couple of years, one year of which she said she worked one case. “I worked at a firm with about 700 lawyers. Everyone was highly specialized. I specialized in international and environmental law and I worked on one case. My case appeared before the International Trade Commission, but I didn’t really want to be that specialized. That’s why I came back [to the area],” explained Czajkowski Higgins.
In 2003, Czajkowski Higgins moved back to the area and officially joined Czajkowski & Rider. She is now married to Michael Higgins and they have three children. “That’s another reason we stayed. We stayed because this is a good place to raise a family.”
With 14 years of experience in law, Czajkowski Higgins knows that she is qualified to take over as the new city attorney for Prairie du Chien. “I saw this as an opportunity to serve the community. I’ll be adjusting my practice, but I’m staying in my office and I’m going to continue a private practice,” she noted.
Czajkowski Higgins knows that her role as the city attorney will be slightly different from Peterson’s role. “Tom used to handle all of the work, but the city decided that they wanted to have two lawyers. I will be handling all of the legal matters. Chelsey Ritter will be the municipal attorney. She will handle the prosecution of ordinance violations like parking tickets.”
Taking over for Peterson, Czajkowski Higgins said that this position is very important to her. “I’m committed to my job. I have a very broad range of experiences to help me assist the city with its legal matters.”
Czajkowski Higgins noted that this won’t be her first time dealing with Prairie du Chien government. “I’ve been doing work for the town of Prairie du Chien for a while,” she commented.
Looking forward to what’s ahead, Czajkowski Higgins said that it will be an enjoyable challenge. “Change like this is exciting.”
Czajkowski Higgins’ first council meeting will be Tuesday, Aug. 4. “Tom and I are going to meet sometime before that to go over the things I’ll need to know. We’re hoping to make it as seamless a transition as possible. He’s been very gracious in allowing me to pick his brain,” said Czajkowski Higgins.
The biggest challenges Czajkowski Higgins thinks she will face, at least right off the bat, are the familiarization with the history and background of all of the local situations. “Not having the institutional knowledge right away will be tricky, but it does offer an opportunity for a fresh perspective.”
Czajkowski Higgins will officially take over as city attorney on Aug. 1.
