MCPS spends $835,772 on no bid law firm contract, but Howard Co ends no bid law firm contracting

Howard County Board of Education introduces competition to selection of outside law firm.

In FY10, Superintendent Jerry Weast spent $835,772 on the services of one law firm. That law firm, Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr, LLP, is one of a number of outside law firms that Superintendent Weast uses for legal services. None of the law firms that Superintendent Weast uses are required to compete for these annual contracts. Each is simply awarded an "extension" of a previous, long-ago, contract/arrangement. Is that the best deal for the citizens of Montgomery County?

Howard County Public Schools (HCPSS) has decided to end the practice of simply continuing to use the same outside law firm each year. HCPSS has also been using the law firm of Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr, LLP. But this year, HCPS has put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for legal services! Imagine that! HCPSS is looking to see where they can get the best deal on legal services.
See the RFP below. Interested law firms, apply today!

007.11.B1-RFP for Legal Svcs