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Board terminates Common Law Group contract and appoints Dickinson Wright interim corporate counsel
Summary
The board approved termination of the Common Law Group's legal-services contract, debated prepayments and transition terms, and voted to appoint Ron Bolschie of Dickinson Wright as interim corporate counsel; commissioners raised questions about selection process, conflict management and continuity of services.
The Ottawa County Board voted to terminate the Common Law Group's contract for legal services and to retain Dickinson Wright as interim corporate counsel, naming Ron Bolschie as the interim attorney to serve until a permanent corporate counsel is hired.
Debate focused on continuity and finances: commissioners asked how remaining prepayments would be applied, whether invoices for January and February would be offset by prepaid amounts, and whether Cullman/Common (the outgoing firm) would continue to provide transition services as part of the prepayment arrangement. County fiscal staff provided figures and an explanation of the remaining prepayment balance and projected charges during transition.
Commissioners also discussed the process used to select interim counsel and potential conflicts of interest because Dickinson Wright represents some municipalities in the county. Ron Bolschie answered questions on conflict handling, stating the firm would bow out of disputes where a true antagonistic conflict exists and both sides would seek independent counsel. After discussion the board took a roll-call vote and appointed Dickinson Wright and Bolschie as interim corporate counsel.
