MARION -- The Marion City Council on Monday night unanimously approved the hiring of Wendy Cunningham for the new position of internal counsel.
Cunningham, who has worked in the Williamson County state's attorney's office and served as attorney to the County Board, will earn a salary of $82,500 plus benefits.
As the city's internal counsel, Cunningham will take over the bulk of the caseload handled by the Lawler Brown Law Firm, said Mayor Mike Absher.
Lawler Brown, meanwhile, will be retained by the city as outside counsel, Absher added.
The move comes two weeks after the city commissioners questioned an invoice from Lawler Brown for more than $81,000, representing around nine months of legal work.
Most of the caseload had to do with property foreclosures.
"In no way is my recommendation an indictment or intended to reflect any detriment to the quality of services or even the amount of services that the Lawler Brown Law Firm has provided to the city," Absher said. "David (Lawler) and I have talked about this ... that if we found the right candidate, it would be more cost-effective for the city to have an internal counsel."
"We're actually saving the taxpayers in the long run," Absher said in response to a question from the audience, explaining that Cunningham will do legal work for a salary rather than Lawler Brown, which bills $175 an hour.
Following the council's unanimous approval of her hiring, Cunningham addressed the board.
"This is something I feel very comfortable with, and I feel very honored that you approached me," said Cunningham who has served in Williamson County for the past seven years, and before that as assistant state's attorney in Jackson County. "I also very much respect David and all the work he's done, and I look forward to conversing with him from time to time on city issues."
