Phoenixville Council Interviews Labor Solicitors

Maintaining a strong, respectful relationship between employees and the decision-makers in Phoenixville’s administration team was a common theme during Tuesday night’s interview of candidates seeking to represent the borough in labor matters. The only difference was each firm’s approach to find harmony between the parties.

“My philosophy is treating the other side as the adversary, not the enemy,” David Truelove of Hill Wallack told the commissioners. “The local government needs to ensure that services are delivered to residents without blowing apart any goodwill with the employees.”

Truelove represented one of four separate firms that pitched their cases to members of the Phoenixville Borough Council for the labor solicitor contract. Besides Princeton, N.J.-based Hill Wallack, lawyers from Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, PC, Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel, LLP, and Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew, LLP made five-to-ten minute presentations highlighting their firms experience and expertise, followed by some questions from the council members.

Dave Hackett from Buchanan Ingersoll pointed out that his firm specializes more on corporate law, but has been able to translate its effective methods to public union negotiations.

“I’ve learned that the public sector moves slower and more deliberately than private companies when it comes to union-based decisions,” said Hackett. “That’s out of necessity, though. If you move to slowly in the private world, you would be out of business.”

That quickness allows his firm to move more efficiently, Hackett told the council, and not waste work hours on frivolous matters.

“We are not hear to drive up the legal bill,” he said. “If there is a dog of a case, we will tell you flat out and not waste your time on it.”

Experience dealing with contract arbitration as well as availability to confer with the attorneys were the main topics during the question and answer period. Each firm pledged constant contact with the borough, offering personal cell phone numbers and a team of lawyers as back up.

“Our mixture of clients is 70/30 in favor of the public sector,” said Truelove. “I’ve sat through numerous arbitrations and always look for a fair result for both sides. Providing good wages and benefits is a big challenge for any public entity, especially in today’s economic climate. We are mindful of that and try to take a proactive approach to avoid arbitration.”

The council members will review the interviews and information packages before settling on a decision at a future meeting.