Ronald S. Cochran, who has served as director of the city’s Legal Department for 12½ years, is leaving his post to serve as a law clerk for Senior U.S. District Judge L.T. Senter Jr., a position he held before joining the city.

Cochran submitted his resignation to Mayor A.J. Holloway last week; his last day with the city will be July 21.

“Ronnie has helped coordinate the legal side on an unprecedented number of issues during his time with the city, before and after the hurricane,” Holloway said. “I appreciate the work that he has done for the city, and I certainly wish him well in his new challenge.”

Holloway said he plans to approach the City Council soon about the Legal Department position.

The mayor also announced that Parks and Recreation Director Nathan Sullivan is helping oversee a number of special projects in the mayor’s office, while Sherry Bell, assistant director of the Parks and Recreation Department, is helping manage the day-to-day operations of the department.