The Legal Architect of Kannapolis: Wally Safrit to Retire After 41 Years

The city’s original—and only—attorney reflects on the milestones, memories, and growth of Kannapolis.

Wally Safrit will retire his role as Kannapolis City Attorney at the end of July. Photo credit: Chris Miller

Walter “Wally” Safrit II has played a defining role not only in the founding of the City of Kannapolis, but in shaping its evolution into the vibrant and fast-growing community it is today.

As Kannapolis’ only city attorney since its incorporation in December 1984, Safrit, 75, has been a consistent and steady legal presence — one who, by his own account, has “seen it all.”