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Town attorney notifies council of firm change; file-transfer options presented
Summary
The town attorney told the council they are leaving their current firm and outlined options for the town's client files: leave them with the current firm, move them with the attorney to a new firm, or transfer them to a third party; the council may decide at a future public meeting.
The town's attorney informed the Elberfeld Town Council that they have resigned from their current law firm (SKO) and are planning to move to a different firm, and explained the choices the council has for handling the town's legal files.
The attorney told council members the options are: leave the file with SKO, move the file to follow the attorney to the new firm, or designate a third location to house the town's files. The attorney said they will honor current rates if the town chooses to move the engagement and that an engagement letter would be provided if the town elected to follow the attorney to the new firm. The attorney said the council does not have to decide immediately and may handle the decision at a subsequent public meeting or special meeting.
"If you choose for it to stay at SKO, then somebody will be here for your next meeting. If you choose for it to go with me, then I would come to the next meeting with an engagement letter for the new firm and explain all that process to you," the attorney said. The attorney also explained billing cycles and retainer implications if the council elects to change the engagement.
Why it matters: The decision determines continuity of legal counsel, billing arrangements and who will represent the town at future meetings. The council must address the file-transfer choice in public session because it affects the town's official engagement and record custody.
What's next: The council may choose to vote at a future meeting or conduct a special meeting to decide whether to keep files at SKO, move them with the attorney, or transfer them to another firm.
