By Amanda Conn
General Counsel
WSSC Water
Marc Hansen, the former Montgomery County Attorney, passed away on Sunday, July 16. Marc worked in the County Attorney’s Office for 37 years, beginning as an assistant county attorney, with his last 12 years as the County Attorney. He was the longest-serving County Attorney for Montgomery County since the County adopted a charter in 1968.
Marc was well-versed in many areas of the law, providing legal opinions in the areas of tort law, procurement, legislation, constitutional law, tax, bonds, construction law, zoning, development, ethics, public health, employment law, child welfare and environmental law. Many other government attorneys across the state would seek his wise counsel on complicated legal issues.
Marc used his vast knowledge of local government law when teaching part-time at the George Washington University Law School. He enjoyed his interaction with the law students immensely.
Marc retired in February of 2022 and in the press release announcing his retirement stated, “I have been fortunate to have had the honor of serving as the chief legal officer for the County for the past 12 years and to have been an attorney in Office of the County Attorney for over 37 years. Being a lawyer for the County has given me the opportunity to work on many immensely challenging legal issues—many of them cutting edge legal issues. I am convinced that being a lawyer in the County Attorney’s Office has been the best legal job in the County. But what I will treasure most has been the opportunity to work with, and to get to know, so many extraordinarily talented and dedicated public servants—merit employees, appointed officials and elected officials.”
Marc’s contributions to the legal profession and his public service was recognized in 2014 when he received the highest award presented by the International Municipal Lawyers Association—the Charles S. Rhyne Lifetime Achievement in Municipal Law Award. The award is bestowed upon individuals whose public service and achievements in municipal law are recognized as truly outstanding; who have benefitted municipal attorneys locally and nationally; and who have gone significantly above the call of duty.
Marc will be sorely missed by his colleagues in the Montgomery County Office of Law and those of us that had the pleasure of knowing and working with him over the years.
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