Legal Services

The Town of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, is soliciting proposals for general and labor legal services to serve as Town Counsel for a performance period from November 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. Eligible offerors must be attorneys or law firms licensed to practice in Massachusetts and maintain a physical office within the state. The scope of work includes drafting and negotiating contracts and leases, providing municipal government legal advice, defending lawsuits and administrative claims, and attending Town and Select Board meetings. Proposals are due by 4:00 PM on September 21, 2026, and must be submitted in a sealed envelope to Town Administrator Keith Hickey. Submissions must include a written proposal detailing the firm's structure, the qualifications of identified personnel, a proposed approach to the scope of work, and at least three municipal references. Pricing should be provided as hourly rates for lead counsel, associates, and paralegals for fiscal years 2027 through 2029, with optional annual lump sum proposals for various service combinations. Award decisions will be based on the proposed approach, the experience of the identified personnel and the firm, reference responses, and interviews. The Town reserves the right to negotiate billing structures and retainer fees. Successful contractors will be required to provide detailed billing statements in increments of no less than a quarter hour, including summaries of work performed and the specific staff member involved. This procurement is exempt from M.G.L.C. 30B under section 1(b)(15).