By Carol Britton Meyer

The select board interviewed two attorneys from the Clifford & Kenny law firm for the position of employment and labor law counsel and appointed them on the spot this week after Town Counsel James Lampke announced his retirement effective June 30.

The firm bills monthly, and either party can terminate the relationship at any time.

Town Manager Jennifer Constable explained that while Lampke served as Hull’s “primary and sole town counsel for many years,” the town is moving to a legal model whereby a land-use counsel will also be appointed as well as a town counsel.

The Pembroke-based firm currently serves about 30 municipalities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Constable told the board that the town has successfully worked with this firm – with a primary focus on municipal labor and employment law – in the past regarding personnel and other matters.

“Clifford & Kenny is very accessible, offering a timely and immediate response,” she said.

Jaime L. Kenny, a founding partner of the firm, told the board that both she and attorney Rich Massina – both of whom were present at the meeting – live on the South Shore “and hold it dear. I think we would be a good fit.”

Kenny has been practicing labor law for approximately 17 years. Massina counsels Clifford & Kenny’s clients on a broad range of municipal labor matters, including collective bargaining negotiations, employee discipline issues, and unlawful harassment investigations.

“I do a lot of bargaining around relationship building with stakeholders,” he said.

The Clifford & Kenny practice focuses on assisting municipal employers with a wide range of municipal law issues, including discipline and discharge and workplace investigations.

Kenny has handled more than 500 grievance and arbitration cases and is “adept at formulating strategies for the resolution of complex personnel issues,” according to a letter submitted to the select board. She has presented to various industry organizations, including the Massachusetts Municipal Association and several of its member groups. Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly named her one of the “Top Women of Law” for 2019.

Clifford & Kenny also offers training to managers and employees on topics such as sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination, discipline and discharge, conducting workplace investigations, and training on supervising in a unionized environment.

The hourly rate is $225 for any consultation, research, drafting, or other legal services.

Another option is a monthly flat fee of $525 per month, which includes unlimited phone and email access. The hourly rate would apply if an initial inquiry results in significant legal research or other tasks that need to be completed.

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