Don Harris (Ex-Councilor)

Don Harris represents District 9, the far Southeast Heights and Foothills in Albuquerque City Council, New Mexico, United States. He was first elected to the City Council in 2005. Councilor Harris was re-elected in 2009, 2013, and 2017, and is currently serving his fourth term as District 9 City Councilor.
Don worked also as New Mexico’s Assistant Attorney General and as Assistant Albuquerque City Attorney representing law enforcement. He works as a private attorney while performing his duties as a City Councilor.
In 2021 Don was in committees - Finance & Government Operation Committee, Regional Transit District, New Mexico Municipal League.
Education
Don Harris graduated from an alternative High School, Shanti High School, in Hartford, Connecticut.  He did his Graduation from the Hartt School of Music in 1987, majoring in management and jazz studies, where he studied with Jackie McLean.
Harris attended law school at the University of Connecticut School of Law where he graduated with honors in the top 15% of his class in 1990.  Spent a semester studying international law at the University of Exeter in Exeter, England in the fall of 1989.
Career
Law
Don clerked from the Chief Judge of District of Connecticut Bankruptcy Court, Robert L. Krechevsky, from August 1990 to August 1992. He served as a Special Assistant Attorney General working for the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, where he represented the state in bankruptcy and collection matters, from 1994 through 2002. 
He founded States’ Association of Bankruptcy Attorneys (SABA). ).  On March 18,1999, he testified before a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee on behalf of SABA. He worked for the Albuquerque City Attorney’s Office for two years between 2002 and 2004 before starting his own law practice. 
While at the City Attorney’s Office, Don Harris won a highly publicized case in the New Mexico Court of Appeals defending the City’s anti-nudity ordinance. Don is one of few attorneys in New Mexico who are certified in bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification.
 He participated in the formulation of New Mexico Family Law Manual for the New Mexico Judicial Education Center, Institute of Public Law, UNM School of Law.
Councilor
Don, as councilor, built new parks, community centers, and made new fire stations in the area. He worked for betterment of foster home’s system. He himself also is a foster parent.
Environment improvement is major area in his councilor career. Councilor Don Harris sponsored the park in Four Hills, the park in process in Juan Tabo Hills, and substantial renovations to the Jeanne Bellamah Community Center and Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.  Councilor Don has provided funds for the Mile-High Little League for much-needed upgrades to its field.
He has been working as councilor for 15 years and now he has stepped aside in coming election. Renee Grout has replaced Don as his tenure finished and she has won the councilor election. Don had worked with official departments for improvements of environment and transportation system He actively participated in vital political discussions and disputes.
 
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