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Council ends Keller Tomah labor contract and hires Ogletree for labor counsel through June 2026
Summary
Council voted unanimously to issue a notice of termination to Keller Tomah after most labor attorneys left the firm, then approved a one-year agreement to retain Ogletree Deacon's Nash (4–1 vote) to maintain continuity of labor representation while staff prepares an RFP for future counsel.
City staff told the council that several labor attorneys at Keller Tomah informed the city they were leaving the firm and returning to a prior practice, leaving Keller Tomah without labor counsel to fulfill the recently signed contract. The council voted unanimously to issue a notice of termination to Keller Tomah.
Council then considered a proposed one-year agreement with Ogletree, Deacon's Nash, Smoke & Stewart PLLC to continue labor and employment legal services through June 30, 2026, retaining the city’s current labor attorney in his new firm. Several council members said the continuity of counsel and the risk of a costly labor negotiation weighed in favor of approving the agreement, while Council member Watson said she preferred a fresh RFP process rather than quickly increasing the city’s legal rates. After discussion, the council approved the Ogletree agreement 4–1; Council member Watson voted no.
Council directed staff to prepare a timeline for a new RFP beginning early next year to solicit labor counsel proposals before the contract term expires.
