Georgetown, Del., May 12, 2009: Sussex County is turning to a long-time Georgetown attorney’s law firm to serve as the County government’s next top legal counsel.

County Council, at its Tuesday, May 12, 2009, meeting, accepted an administrative selection committee’s recommendation that the firm of Moore & Rutt be appointed to serve as County Attorney. The appointment will take effect July 1.

The firm will serve at the Council’s pleasure, with J. Everett Moore Jr. as lead counsel. Mr. Moore will attend County Council meetings and advise the body on all legal matters as they relate to County business. Meantime, Vincent G. Robertson, of the Griffin & Hackett law firm, will continue to serve the County as legal counsel for the Planning & Zoning Commission. Additionally, Richard E. Berl Jr., of the Smith, O’Donnell, Feinberg & Berl law firm, will remain as legal counsel to the County Board of Adjustment.

County Council President Vance C. Phillips said that with a new County Council seated this past January, a majority of the members wanted to have in place an attorney and firm of their own choosing.

“The new Council has had four months to get situated, and we believe now is the appropriate time for a fresh perspective when it comes to our legal advice,” Mr. Phillips said. “We believe we will have that with Everett Moore and the Moore & Rutt team.”

The County Attorney is not an employee of County government, but a contractual position, one that in recent years has been filled by outside law firms to provide attorneys and services. Griffin & Hackett was retained in January 2003 under the previous County Council, which left office in January, with James D. Griffin serving as lead attorney. Mr. Griffin will continue to serve as County Attorney during the transition.

“Jim has always offered the County his best efforts, and we can’t thank him enough for his service,” said County Administrator David B. Baker, who led the selection committee. “I think I speak for the past and present Council in saying that no matter the opinion, agree or disagree, everyone respected Mr. Griffin and his vast legal knowledge.”

Mr. Moore, a native of Sussex County, is well known and respected in local legal circles. A graduate of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., he has practiced law in Delaware since 1976, focusing on real estate, residential and business law, as well as wills and trusts. No stranger to the process of government, he served on the Indian River School Board in the 1990s.

“Our firm is eager to begin working closely with the County Council and the County Administration,” Mr. Moore said. “We appreciate this opportunity, and we look forward to providing the same high-quality legal services as our predecessors.”

County leaders said the addition of Mr. Moore’s firm will be a plus for the County government.

“We’re excited to bring Everett and his firm on board and to make use of their talent, skills and expertise,” Mr. Phillips said. “And by keeping Mr. Griffin’s firm on to serve with the Planning & Zoning Commission, I think we benefit from having a more diverse legal team at our disposal.”

“Ultimately, I think that means a better bang for the taxpayers’ bucks,” Mr. Phillips said.

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