HINSDALE, IL – A law firm that serves many suburban school systems said last month that Hinsdale High School District 86 was “unreasonably difficult” to serve.
In response to Patch’s public records request, District 86 on Monday released Robbins Schwartz’s Sept. 9 letter informing the district that it was ending its relationship. The district had previously withheld the letter from Patch.
“As such, we have determined that our representation of the District has been rendered unreasonably difficult and that it is necessary to terminate our continued representation of District 86,” attorney Joseph Perkoski, a Robbins Schwartz partner, said in the letter.
Find out what's happening in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Perkoski continued, “It had been our continuing objective to provide you with effective legal counsel in a difficult time of transition. However, we no longer believe we are able to provide such.”
The district blacked out the first part of the letter, citing the secrecy of attorney-client communications. Under state law, the district must reveal the parts of the letter dealing with the law firm’s status.
Find out what's happening in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On Monday, Patch left emailed messages for comment with all seven board members. No one responded.
Just days before the letter, the board hired Oak Brook-based Engler, Callaway, Baasten & Sraga to handle “select students, special education and other matters.” Those matters had been handled by Robbins Schwartz.
A few days after the letter, the board held a special meeting to talk about issuing a request for proposals to law firms. Members kept the public in the dark about why this was needed when it apparently had a law firm.
Robbins Schwartz’s relationship with the district began with a secret meeting before a new board majority took office on May 3, 2023. The firm met with a few current and incoming members.
Upon taking office, the board hired the firm as a special counsel to handle the legalities of ousting then-Superintendent Tammy Prentiss.
Before the board chose Robbins Schwartz as the main law firm, members talked for months about issuing a request for proposals, comparing firms’ prices and offerings.
In January, though, the board changed course and appointed Robbins Schwartz, bypassing competition. It did not explain its switch.
Since the board hired Robbins Schwartz, the district’s legal costs escalated. When the budget year ended June 30, the district spent nearly $700,000 on legal bills. That was far higher than other districts, even those much larger.
At the current rate, the board was on track to spend more than $900,000 in legal bills over the next year.
It was unclear what caused District 86’s relationship with Robbins Schwartz to sour. But one clue is that it could have involved special education matters.
Perkoski’s email with the termination letter attached was copied to just one other attorney in his 43-member firm – Caroline Roselli, a special education attorney. She is one of the firm’s 22 partners. Perkoski is the managing partner.
Engler, the Oak Brook-based firm that the district hired last month, is known for specializing in special education.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
Click Here: Trent Alexander-Arnold Jersey Sale