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Adelanto trustees hear two legal-firm proposals; informal consensus favors BBK while AALRR renewal fails
Summary
The board heard presentations from Best Best & Krieger and AALRR for board counsel services. Trustees signaled informal consensus to bring BBK back for a potential contract, while a motion to renew AALRRs agreement failed.
Two law firms presented bids to serve as the districts board counsel and legal-services provider.
Stephanie Venier of Best Best & Krieger (BBK) described a proposed team with experience in education law, special education, labor negotiations, public records and Brown Act compliance; she emphasized a collaborative approach to minimize litigation and offered billing practices designed to lower client costs. Venier said BBK maintains an advanced records center and a bench of specialists to handle PRA requests, public finance and facilities matters.
Mark Thompson of Atkinson, Anderson, Loya, Root & Romo (AALRR) outlined his firms board counsel services, noting long experience advising school boards on Brown Act compliance, conflict of interest and training. Thompson disclosed a prior affiliation between Superintendent Walker and an AALRR-affiliated consultant and said clients select the lead attorney for matters.
During discussion (a presentation/discussion agenda item), President So to called each trustee for their view. Two trustees explicitly supported BBK and the president said there was a board consensus to return BBK with a proposed contract for possible action at a future meeting (the president emphasized the statement was a consensus discussion, not a formal vote).
Later in the meeting Trustee Cross moved to approve a hybrid renewal agreement with AALRR for FY25-26; after roll-call votes the motion failed (two yes, three no). Trustees who voted against cited concerns about approving multiple legal contracts while labor negotiations are pending and about cost and redundancy.
The board did not take a formal contract vote for BBK during the meeting; staff were directed to return with contract documents if trustees confirm the consensus. The president said any contract would be placed on a future agenda for action.
