Marvin Village Council meets Monday to decide whether to appoint Patrick Flanagan of Cranfill Sumner LLP as village attorney under a contract billing $350 per hour.
Mayor Joseph M. Barbara called the special meeting for Monday, Aug. 31, at 8:30 a.m. at Marvin Village Hall, 10006 Marvin School Road. The attorney appointment is the sole agenda item.
Under the proposed agreement, Cranfill Sumner would bill the village $350 per hour for partner work, $300 per hour for associate attorneys and $170 per hour for paralegals. The firm would serve as an independent contractor, billing monthly for work performed and expenses at cost. The village would not withhold payroll taxes or provide employee benefits.
The contract runs until either side ends it. Marvin can terminate without cause on 30 days' written notice, or on seven days' notice if the firm breaches the agreement. Cranfill Sumner can also exit on 30 days' notice.
Services would cover council meeting attendance, legal advice, litigation, personnel matters, public records requests and general municipal operations.
Flanagan chairs Cranfill Sumner's Municipalities and Public Entities practice group out of the firm's Charlotte office, according to the firm's website. He has more than 25 years of experience representing North Carolina municipalities and previously served as a captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps and as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.
The council held a closed session Aug. 17 to consult with an attorney about two pending lawsuits against the village, according to a separate meeting notice. On Aug. 25, the council met in closed session to negotiate an employment contract for the village manager position. It is not clear from public records who previously served as village attorney or whether the position was vacant.
The meeting is open to the public. Council members may participate remotely.
