Two lawyers will be on staff at Red Deer City Hall starting next year.
City council initially approved hiring one lawyer, but since then administration has requested to have two lawyers on staff.
Red Deer civic leaders approved on Monday the addition of an associate city solicitor position to the already approved city solicitor and legal assistant positions.
The extra lawyer would be accommodated within the anticipated annual budget of $562,250, so no additional dollars were being requested.
Council was told that more money could be requested, though, for additional activities to make the transition from the current outside legal team.
The city did a review of legal services.
Council decided last November the city should hire its own lawyer to improve access and accountability with municipal staff.
The internal legal services unit would come on stream once the current contract with Chapman Riebeek ends on Dec. 31, 2012.
The city has used the services of this law firm for more than 50 years.
But there would still be need to tender out for specialized services, council agreed.