LYNN — After more than three decades serving the city he calls home, James Lamanna is stepping into a new chapter, one that keeps him at the heart of Lynn civic life, just from a different desk.
Lamanna has left his post as first assistant city solicitor to become Lynn’s next city clerk and chief of elections, a transition that feels less like a leap than a continuation of a career defined by public service.
“I really enjoyed municipal law,” Lamanna said, reflecting on a path that began when he joined the law department as a summer intern in 1995. “I’m born and raised here in Lynn. I love the city, so it was a natural fit for me.”
A 1997 graduate of Boston University, Lamanna was asked to stay on by then–City Solicitor Michael Barry and the mayor’s office. What began as a contract position steadily grew. In 2013, under then-Mayor Judith Kennedy and Council President Dan Cahill, the council created a third assistant city solicitor role, recognizing Lamanna’s contributions.
After Barry’s retirement in 2017, Lamanna was appointed first assistant city solicitor, a position he has held since.
Public service was modeled early. Both of Lamanna’s parents were educators, and his father served nearly two decades as vice principal at Lynn English High School.
“I come from a family that did give back to the city,” he said. “So it was only natural to continue that.”
That sense of continuity, staying rooted in the community that shaped him has defined his 30-year career.
While residents may know the City Clerk’s Office for maintaining records and running elections, Lamanna’s goal is not to redefine the role but to strengthen it.
He has worked closely with the last three city clerks, collaborating on agendas, council orders, and election law. Over the years, he has handled recounts, ballot challenges, and emergencies, including navigating election procedures during blizzards and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There are a lot of legal components to the position,” he said, noting that his background gives him confidence. “I don’t necessarily need to call the city solicitor’s office for legal advice because of my experiences.”
Lamanna recognizes heightened scrutiny surrounding elections nationwide and sees steady leadership as essential.
“With all the allegations you hear on local news and from various parties, people do attempt to see if they can vote more than once,” he said. He credited existing systems for catching irregularities and emphasized preparation. “Expect the unexpected.”
He also wants to expand voter awareness, particularly around early voting and mail-in ballots — especially with the state primary scheduled before Labor Day, a shift that may require additional outreach.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to get the word out,” he said, encouraging residents with late-summer plans to take advantage of early voting.
Beyond elections, Lamanna has clear administrative priorities.
One is updating and publishing Lynn’s municipal code online. Although the code was approved in 2003, it has not been fully updated or made digitally accessible since.
He hopes to compile ordinances passed since 2003, have the council formally adopt the updated code, and make it accessible online — aligning Lynn with other Massachusetts municipalities.
Technology integration is another focus.
Lamanna wants departments to better connect their software systems so information about permits and licenses can be accessed seamlessly, rather than requiring residents to shuttle paperwork between offices.
“There’s much more in-person interaction with members of the general public” in the clerk’s office, he said. “I’m kind of a people person.”
He envisions stepping out from behind the counter to keep lines moving during busy lunch hours and helping residents find the right destination if the clerk’s office is not their final stop.
“A lot of people who come to City Hall don’t know where to go,” he said. “It may not be where you’ll end up, but hopefully my staff and I can get them in and out with the information they need as quickly as possible.”
Asked about the most rewarding moments of his career, Lamanna pointed not to courtroom victories but to visible improvements across the city.
He recalled mid-2000s negotiations to bury power lines along the Lynnway under then-Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr., clearing obstacles for future development. Today, projects such as the redevelopment of the former Building 19 site and plans for the old Harbor House property near the General Edwards Bridge reflect years of groundwork.
“Driving by the Lynnway and knowing that I played a part in that … gives me a great deal of satisfaction,” he said.
Lamanna describes his leadership style simply: show up, work hard, and care deeply.
“I’ve always tried to lead by example,” he said. “I come to work every day.”
He hopes his passion for Lynn will be visible and contagious.
“We’re fortunate to have a lot of employees who grew up here and love the city,” he said. “And for those who didn’t, they’ve learned to love it.”
After 30 years, Lamanna understands the weight of the position he is inheriting. As Councilor Coco Alinsug noted during Lamanna’s appointment, only four people have held the clerk’s role. Lamanna worked closely with his predecessor, Janet Rowe, and saw firsthand the professionalism required.
Still, when asked what he hopes his legacy will be, his answer was straightforward:
“He left the city clerk’s office a better place than when he started.”
For James Lamanna, it is a fitting continuation of a career defined by steady service and by a deep, enduring love for his city.
