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After contentious debate, Vernon County board awards corporate counsel contract to Johns, Flaherty & Collins
Summary
Following hours of presentations and amendment negotiations, the board approved a three‑year corporate counsel contract with Johns, Flaherty & Collins, removing an automatic renewal clause and adding a 90/60‑day termination option, committee/assignment clarifications and billing clarifications (no mileage; paralegal rate specified).
The Vernon County Board approved Resolution 20 26 34 to designate Johns, Flaherty & Collins (JFC) as the county’s corporate counsel after extended presentations by two finalist firms and a lengthy floor debate. John Flaherty of JFC explained the firm’s municipal practice and availability; Sam Goli of Russell Law Offices presented his firm as an alternative. Following questions and recommended contract edits from supervisors, the board agreed to amend the proposed legal services agreement before a final vote.
Key negotiated changes adopted by the board removed an automatic renewal clause, revised termination language to permit either party to end the agreement with 90 days’ written notice (with a possible 60‑day accelerated option), corrected references to the county administrative coordinator, added committees to the scope language, confirmed that mileage would not be billed and specified a $120/hour paralegal rate in the event paralegals are used. John Flaherty said JFC had no objection to those edits during the meeting. After procedural votes and a voice/ballot count, the board approved the amended resolution and contract.
Why it matters: The contract decision determines the county’s general legal counsel model for the coming years and affects budget projections for legal services. Supervisors who pressed for additional due diligence also sought comparative cost information about an in‑house counsel model; the board agreed to pursue follow‑up information but approved the amended contract to ensure continuous representation.
