Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legal Counsel Selection topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Edgewater Council hires Sabatini Law on month-to-month contract after heated debate over city attorney
Summary
After hours of public testimony and council debate over the performance of longtime City Attorney Aaron Wolf, the Edgewater City Council voted to hire Sabatini Law Firm on a month-to-month contract and to keep Wolf handling current litigation during a transition period.
The Edgewater City Council voted Tuesday to retain Sabatini Law Firm on a month-to-month contract to serve as the city's general legal counsel, following an extended public hearing and heated council discussion about whether to renew longtime City Attorney Aaron Wolf's contract.
Supporters and critics of Wolf packed the meeting and made competing cases. Proponents of replacing Wolf cited recent litigation outcomes and urged a more "proactive" attorney to pursue developers and protect residents from flooding. "We deserve legal counsel who'll fight for the people," resident Tim London told the council. Several other speakers, including longtime residents, defended Wolf's record; one called him "a pillar of the community" who had handled hundreds of matters for the city.
Council debate centered on experience, cost and responsiveness. Council members raised that one competitive firm rescinded its proposal earlier in the day, narrowing the field to Sabatini and Wolf's firm; some members said Sabatini's team was younger but offered a dedicated paralegal and round-the-clock access, while others favored Wolf's decades of municipal experience. Councilmember comments repeatedly referenced the Lennar litigation and whether evidence had been presented at hearings.
On a roll call following a motion to renew Wolf for three years, the motion failed (Councilwoman D'albo voted Yes; Councilman Rainberg No; Mayor DePew No; Councilwoman Gillis No; Councilman Thomas Yes). The council then moved to hire Sabatini Law on a month-to-month basis, with the motion carried by recorded vote (Councilwoman D'albo No; Councilman Rainberg Yes; Mayor DePew Yes; Councilwoman Gillis Yes; Councilman Thomas No).
Council also agreed that Wolf would continue to handle the city's current litigation during the 30-day transition period so that no pending cases would be disrupted. City staff and Sabatini representatives said they would coordinate a transition if services change.
Sabatini's team described its proposal as providing three barred attorneys (state and federal), plus a dedicated paralegal for the city, on-call availability and no travel charges; the firm told the council it could provide environmental and water-quality experience relevant to Edgewater's stormwater issues. Sabatini representatives also emphasized that the contract would be month-to-month and that the council could revisit the choice at a special meeting within six months.
Mayor DePew thanked Wolf for his years of service and noted that, during the 30-day transition period, both firms would coordinate to avoid gaps in legal representation. The council chair closed the matter by scheduling follow-up review.
Next steps: Sabatini Law begins on a month-to-month basis, Wolf continues current litigation during transition, and the council indicated it may hold a special meeting in roughly six months to reassess legal services.
