The Milwaukee Board of School Directors voted 9-0 Saturday to approve an engagement and contingent-fee agreement with Keller Rohrbeck LLP that authorizes the firm to pursue potential claims against social media companies and other responsible parties, the board said at a Jan. 11 special meeting.

The agreement, listed on the meeting call as an "engagement and contingent fee agreement with Keller Rohrbach LLP relative to potential claims against social media companies," was moved by Director O'Halloran and seconded by Director Leonard. The board then took a roll-call vote: Director Ferguson — aye; Director Garcia — aye; Director Gokulcandi (transcript alternatively listed as "Gokul Gandhi") — aye; Director Jackson — aye; Director Leonard — aye; Director O'Halloran — aye; Director Simpson — aye; Director Zomber — aye; President Marva Herndon — aye. The chair announced "That is 9 ayes. The motion passes." The board did not state additional details about the scope of potential claims in open session.

The item was introduced by the secretary as "action on an engagement and contingent fee agreement with Keller Rohrbeck LLP relative to potential claims against social media companies," and the recommendation read that approval would authorize Keller Rohrbeck LLP to pursue any recourse the board may have against social media companies, "along with other responsible potential defendants." The transcript does not record further particulars about the alleged harms, the legal theories to be pursued, or a contingency-fee percentage.

Board members did not take public testimony at the special meeting, and the board's notice reiterated that public testimony would not be taken and that written testimony could be submitted to the office of board governance. The meeting call and notices stated the meeting was a special board meeting convened at the Central Services Building for Jan. 11, 2025.

The approval occurred near the start of the meeting; the board then moved on to a separate agenda item to retire to closed session to consider applications for superintendent of schools.

Because the board discussed the agreement in open session and adopted the motion authorizing the engagement, the agreement is now approved for the district to proceed with Keller Rohrbeck LLP pursuing the described potential claims, subject to any further actions or disclosures the board chooses to make in subsequent meetings.