Manhattan—City Manager Danielle Dulin has appointed Deputy City Attorney Rachel Sherck to serve as Interim City Attorney for the City of Manhattan effective August 3, 2026.
The city attorney serves as the chief legal officer for the municipality and department head for the Legal Services Department, which includes the Manhattan Municipal Court and the City Attorney’s Office. The position also serves as a member of the city’s senior management team and provides legal guidance to the City Commission, city boards, the city manager, and city staff on complex legal issues related to municipal operations.Sherck fills the role vacated by Katie Jackson, who served as city attorney for 11 years.
Jackson’s last day with the City of Manhattan was Monday, August 3. She is leaving the organization to continue her career with the City of Lawrence.“Rachel brings strong institutional knowledge and sound legal judgment to this role,” said Dulin.
“She has worked closely with departments across the organization for nearly a decade and understands the complexity of municipal operations. I am confident she will provide steady leadership for the legal services department and continue supporting the City Commission, city staff, and the Manhattan community during this transition.”Katie Jackson will be missed for her contributions as an organizational leader in addition to her legal acumen. Those who worked closely with her appreciated her thoughtfulness, candor, and commitment to tackling complex problems head-on rather than being tempted by a quick fix. “Katie has been an incredible mentor and someone I learned a great deal from,” Sherck said. During nearly a decade with the City, Sherck has had the opportunity to work alongside departments across the organization and contribute to a wide range of projects and initiatives.“You realize how long you’ve been working here when you drive around and see the physical results of planning that started years ago as an idea in the room,” Sherck said.Sherck began working for the City of Manhattan in 2017 as an assistant city attorney and was appointed deputy city attorney in 2024. She has worked under the guidance of Katie Jackson, as well as former City Attorney Bill Frost.Sherck earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and creative writing from Kansas State University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kansas.