During City Council meetings, the city attorney plays a critical role in ensuring that all proceedings and decisions comply with local, state and federal laws. In the city of Bentonville, this elected position is held by Nick Henry, who started his first term this year. 

Henry is originally from Springfield, Mo., where he received his undergraduate degree. He went to law school at University of Missouri, and now works at Daiso, a retail chain, overseeing new store development throughout the Southeast.

Henry and his wife, Cassie, moved to Bentonville in July 2016. They have two children, as well as two dogs they adopted locally. 

In order to help residents get to know more roles within local government, we asked Henry five questions about the duties of city attorney. 

1.) So what exactly does the city attorney do? 

The city attorney attends City Council meetings and ensures all rules and laws are being followed when hearing concerns or ideas from citizens, discussing proposed ordinances or resolutions, voting, etc. These can be procedural or municipal/state law. 

2.) How does your background qualify you for this position? 

My background is not typical for an attorney. While I have been a licensed attorney since 2016, my entire career has been spent on the business side of commercial real estate — overseeing new store development from conception, to internal approvals, jurisdictional approvals, and all things necessary to get a store to grand opening. These experiences have provided me an in-depth knowledge of city approval processes. 

3.) This will be your first term as city attorney. Why did you run for this position? 

When I learned about this position, I thought it was a great fit and opportunity for me to be more involved with the community and give back to the city that I love. 

4.) What do you hope to accomplish in your first term? 

This role is purely ensuring rules and regulations are followed, so I look forward to being a small part of helping Bentonville continue its exciting growth. 

5.) What is one thing you’d like the public to know about this position? 

That it exists! It is a position not many people know about, and Bentonville is a little unique with this role. In Bentonville, we have staff attorneys who are full-time city employees who navigate legal issues with the city staff. The city attorney is an elected position that attends City Council meetings and represents the people in verifying everything that is heard and rejected or approved at City Council was done so properly.