Town attorney calls it quits

Just like that, nearly a quarter century of history between a law firm and Longboat Key is likely gone.

On Monday, Town Attorney Maggie Mooney-Portale wrapped up a Town Commission regular workshop by handing commissioners a letter of resignation after only 11 months in her role. It came on behalf of the law firm of Persson & Cohen, whose David Persson served as town attorney for the previous 23 years.

“We’re just not the right fit for one another,” Mooney-Portale said of her decision to step down. She declined further comment but will remain in her position for another 90 days, per a contract agreement.

Her eyes revealed tears as she thanked the commissioners for her opportunity and said she would be willing to assist in finding her replacement.

Asked if his firm would be interested in being considered to provide a town attorney replacement, Persson said “probably not.”

Persson said it would be up to the other lawyers in his firm, but said his five-person team was quite busy. As for Persson, he said he was content with his role as Venice city attorney and would not be interested in a return to Longboat Key, which is closer to his home in Palmetto.

Town Manager Dave Bullock said the commission would determine if Persson’s firm would receive any consideration.

Commissioners declined to comment after the announcement.

Meanwhile, Bullock said the sudden announcement came without warning and caught him by surprise.

“I had no advance notice, all I know is she was working out,” Bullock said of Mooney-Portale. “We’ve done a lot of complex, difficult and fast-paced stuff together like the situation with the Colony and lots of planning issues. Her best accomplishment is all the work she did this legislative session. I’ve been around a lot of that work and she was as good as anyone I have seen. The work she did with our lobbyist to correct the Town Charter issue was just outstanding. But we’ll find another attorney and off we’ll go.”

Persson said discussions with Mooney-Portale and her growing frustration began a few months ago.

“I’m disappointed because I thought she’d be a perfect fit,” he said. “She was the right age, had the right amount of experience and had the right credentials. I’m surprised it didn’t work out. I thought I left Longboat Key in good hands – the place means a lot to me.”

A bit of uneasiness regarding Mooney-Portale’s abilities surfaced earlier in the year in the minds of some commissioners.

Matters that included a town easement at Jackson Way and a Colony Beach & Tennis Resort nuisance hearing that was postponed after a due process issue arose caused Mayor Jim Brown and Commissioners Phill Younger and Lynn Larson to make public comments about legal advice given by Mooney-Portale.

Commissioners even discussed her status in March but chose to keep her onboard, noting that she was on maternity leave between October and January and needed more time to get situated.

For the past couple of months, Mooney-Portale began holding office hours at Town Hall to give commissioners an opportunity to meet with her on an individual basis and assuage concerns. Mooney-Portale told the Longboat Observer two weeks ago those office hours weren’t successful as far as scheduling meetings with commissioners.

Mooney-Portale was up for a commission public annual review June 1, and she avoided that exercise with her announcement.

The firm was paid $20,312.50 per month for the town’s legal services. As for Mooney-Portale, she said she would continue to work with Persson & Cohen in the area of local government law although she has not made an arrangement with another municipality. Her job with Longboat Key was her first in such a role.

Contact John Morton at [email protected]