(County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. welcomes Ana Morgan as County Attorney. Image by Justin Gould / Media Information Officer.)
MAYVILLE, NY – Chautauqua County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr is pleased to announce the appointment of Ana Morgan as the new County Attorney. Morgan brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished professional background to the position, promising to uphold the highest standards of legal service for the County.
Morgan holds dual law degrees from the University of Zagreb (Croatia, EU) and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She is a double-qualified attorney with extensive experience in both civil and criminal law. Her legal practice in New York State has focused on family, criminal, and administrative matters, both in private practice and through her years of civil service with Chautauqua County. Most recently, she served as the Social Services Attorney with the Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services, where she played a pivotal role in representing the Department before various Courts and tribunals, particularly in the child welfare arena and the civil prosecution of neglect and abuse cases involving children.
Furthermore, Morgan has held several legal positions within the County, progressively climbing the ranks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as the Deputy Chief Clerk of the Chautauqua County Family Court, where she gained exceptional proficiency in employment, administrative, IT, organizational, managerial, and other essential aspects of managing a highly stressful government office.
One of her proudest career moments includes her involvement in several child neglect and abuse cases. Though she cannot disclose specific details, Morgan highlights the dedicated work of County caseworkers who intervene, remove, and rehabilitate vulnerable children and adults in need of immediate protection. She considers herself privileged to have advocated on behalf of those who contribute significantly to the community's welfare.
Morgan’s decision to pursue the role of County Attorney was motivated by her established, productive relationships within the County administration. She felt welcomed and supported by her colleagues and received strong encouragement from the County Executive.
In her new role, Morgan’s main goals and priorities include maintaining the highest quality of legal services, as established by her predecessors. She aims to expand the office’s expertise and swiftly adapt to the County’s evolving needs and demands. Morgan envisions leveraging various IT tools and technology to enhance efficiency and maintaining open, constructive communication with the public and all County departments and divisions.
"I am fortunate to work within the County Attorney’s Office, which boasts a highly motivated and experienced staff. My primary role is to continue delivering the highest quality of legal services while expanding our capabilities and adapting to the County’s evolving needs," said Morgan. "I look forward to taking our efforts to the next level through the implementation of advanced IT tools and maintaining open and constructive communication with both the public and County departments."
"We are thrilled to welcome Ana Morgan as our new County Attorney," said County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. "Ana's extensive experience and dedication to public service make her an invaluable asset to our team. I am confident that under her leadership, the County Attorney's Office will continue to uphold the highest standards of legal service and will further enhance its ability to meet the needs of our community."
Wendel is confident that Ana Morgan will bring a fresh and dynamic approach to the role of County Attorney, continuing the tradition of excellence and dedicated service to the community.
