The City of Mesquite is bolstering its legal team with the hiring of Gordon R. Hikel, who is taking on the role of Senior Assistant City Attorney with a robust track record of over three decades in diverse legal realms. This seasoned attorney has cut his teeth on all things law, from criminal and civil to land use and public contracts, the city announced on May 1.
Before his new position, Hikel pulled the strings as an Assistant County Administrator in Dallas County deftly managing public defenders and forensic departments including pre-trial, criminal justice, and forensic science. He also oversaw purchasing and small business enterprise departments, according to the City of Mesquite, Texas.
His stripes were earned in the Dallas County District Attorney's Office as a Felony Court Chief, where his courtroom prowess in trying criminal cases was on full display; additionally, as the Civil Division Chief, he commanded a squadron of over 20 attorneys, marshaling daily operations and defining strategy for diverse law practice.
Before his tenure with Dallas County, Hikel served the cities of The Colony, Flower Mound, and McKinney, guiding them through legal mazes as City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney, his chops were recognized back in 2004 by Texas Monthly magazine labeling him a "Texas Rising Star," an honor reserved for the cream of the crop of up-and-coming Texas attorneys.
Hikel's arsenal of qualifications includes a law degree from Southern Methodist University's School of Law and a bachelor's degree from Long Island University, with the City of Mesquite he's expected to sharpen his legal acumen, steering the ship on procurement, contracts, real estate and the choppy waters of economic development, tasks more than befitting a legal guru of his caliber.
