Hermiston welcomes Rich Tovey as new City Attorney

The City of Hermiston is pleased to welcome Rich Tovey as its new city attorney.

Tovey is a long-time resident of Eastern Oregon, growing up in Irrigon, graduating from Riverside High School in Boardman, and spending the past 11 years as the Morrow County Deputy District Attorney.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and a law degree from the University of Montana School of Law, later passing the Oregon bar in 2004. He spent five years in Coos County before returning to Eastern Oregon for the job in Morrow County.

He has lived in Hermiston since 2012 with his wife and four children. Three children are still at home and the oldest is serving on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“We’ve really enjoyed being a part of the Hermiston community and I’m looking forward to continue that as I step into this new role,” Tovey said.

Gary Luisi served as the part-time city attorney for Hermiston since 1999, providing legal guidance and representing the city and city council while continuing to operate his own private practice. Due to the growth of the city and the responsibilities of the office, the city council determined it was time to hire a full-time city attorney.