GREWING PICKED AS ST. PAUL'S NEXT CITY ATTORNEY

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman on Thursday tapped his chief of staff to be the next city attorney.

Sara Grewing, who has worked in the mayor's office since 2007, would replace John Choi, who stepped down in April. Gerald Hendrickson, a deputy city attorney, has filled in since Choi left.

Grewing, 33, currently manages a 16-person department with a $2 million budget. The city attorney's office has 65 employees and a proposed 2011 budget of about $8 million. Coleman praised Grewing's management and advisory skills.

She's a graduate of the William Mitchell College of Law. She has served as U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar's state director, as well as in the Hennepin County attorney's office and private practice. "I started my career in municipal law, and I'm excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work," Grewing said.

Her new salary would be $125,000. The City Council must approve her appointment.

CHRIS HAVENS