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Board approves split legal-services contracts after debate over rates and term
Summary
The board approved awarding legal services contracts to be shared between Shipman & Goodwin and Bertram/Bircham & Moses following RFP review, approving a contract structure with initial discounted rates and renewal options.
The Bridgeport Board of Education voted Dec. 8 to award legal-services contracts to multiple firms after a formal RFP process and debate about rates and contract length.
City Attorney Tom presented the RFP results and recommended selecting two firms: Shipman & Goodwin to serve as general counsel and handle special education matters, and Bertram/Bircham & Moses to handle personal-injury and employment work. The city attorney outlined fee comparisons and said Shipman offered to cap partner rates at a discounted rate for the first year and to waive an initial policy-subscription fee.
Board member Joseph Sikalovic moved to add the contract-award item to the agenda and to award the contracts as presented. Members debated the appropriate contract term and renewal structure; the city attorney recommended a one-year initial contract with two one-year renewal options so the board could reassess if rates changed after the first year. The amended motion reflecting that structure passed.
During debate, a board member disclosed an employment relationship with one of the firms represented, and the disclosure was noted on the record.
The board approved the contracts with the amended term. Mr. Lamont Daniels was recorded as abstaining from the final approval.
The board instructed staff to formalize the contract length and renewal options consistent with the vote and to return any final agreements for signature.
