The Birmingham Water Works Board cut ties today with its longtime lawyers Waldrep, Stewart and Kendrick. The board’s vote ends a lucrative relationship valued at more than $ 1 million a year and had lasted almost three decades. The contract ends on Jan. 11, says Mac Underwood, General Manager for the utility.
Charlie Waldrep, a founding partner in the firm, has been at the table for some of the Water Works’ major developments, including the selling of assets, negotiations over board representation and rate changes. The firm has represented several Jefferson County municipalities including Fultondale, Homewood and Hoover.
“They have done a good job working for the Water Works and defending court cases over the years,” says Underwood. But a majority of the board decided to go in a different direction.
“They hired Fuston, Petway and French several months ago, and they will be handling the legal work for the Birmingham Water Works,” Underwood says.
The Water Works has 10 to 20 legal cases in various stages, and Underwood said, decisions on transitioning that work will be made in the coming days.