Advisory Opinion 21-003-Solicitor Conflict of Interest Signed
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The Scranton Ethics Board issued Advisory Opinion 21-003 on March 15, 2021, addressing whether the law firm Oliver, Price & Rhodes (OPR) could continue representing the City of Scranton in ongoing litigation matters after Joseph A. O'Brien, a partner at OPR, accepted appointment as City Solicitor in October 2020. The City has paid OPR at a rate of $95.00 per hour, primarily for defending civil rights actions in United States District Court, with work performed by Attorney Michael J. O'Brien and Attorney Jenna Kraycer Tuzze. Upon becoming Solicitor, O'Brien established a policy prohibiting new case assignments to OPR while he holds that office, though OPR continued work on cases already in litigation, and O'Brien agreed to be screened from any proceeds the firm received from the City.
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