For about 20 years the Harrison Sale McCloy Law Firm has been employed by the city of Lynn Haven. Now, the the city has voted them out. At a commission meeting on Sep. 25, 2018 city officials voted 3-2 to hire an in-house lawyer. The majority says this will save the city money.
Lynn Haven mayor, Margo Anderson advocated for the benefits. “I think it was a great decision to make in the best interest of the city.”
Although, not everyone had the same reaction. Rodney Friend, Lynn Haven commissioner said, “My biggest concern is that the commission may have violated the charter last night.”
The Lynn Haven charter states an attorney employed by the city of Lynn Haven must be properly admitted to the Florida bar. Filling the position will be a military spouse with 1 year experience who has passed the Texas bar, not the Florida bar.
City officials decided a state act put into effect on Sep. 17, 2018 overrules the charter. The act says a military spouse who has passed a bar exam in another state, can practice law in Florida while studying to pass the Florida bar under the supervision of a sponsor. “The sponsorship is paid for by the state of florida and is a one time fee of $1,000,” said Anderson. The new attorney will have 5 years under the Act to pass the Florida bar exam.
According to city officials, Lynn Haven has spent about $190,000 a year on legal services, with an attorney from Harrison Sale McCloy Law Firm. Hiring a new in-house attorney will cost the city about $75,000 a year. Plus any additional legal fees incurred by using a mentor. The city plans on hiring a mentor at an hourly rate to assist the new lawyer when needed.
“I’m concerned that we traded twenty years of historical knowledge and experience for one year,” said Friendly. The Lynn Haven city manager is currently working on details of what will happen during the transition period between the attorneys.
