FRANKLIN, Wis. — The Franklin Common Council will hold a special meeting Thursday morning to meet Mayor John Nelson’s nominee for City Attorney, Christina M. Lucchesi, ahead of a formal vote on her appointment scheduled for the July 7 Common Council meeting.
The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m, Thursday July 2 in the Administration Conference Room at Franklin City Hall, 9229 W. Loomis Road. According to the published agenda, the purpose of the meeting is to provide council members with an opportunity to meet Lucchesi, gather information, and ask questions before considering her appointment. The agenda specifically states that no action will be taken during Thursday’s meeting.
Extensive Municipal Law Background
Her practice has included municipal law, environmental law, public finance, construction and contract law, real estate matters, and serving as bond counsel on public financing projects. According to her professional biography, she has advised municipalities, reviewed development agreements, negotiated contracts, and represented public entities in a variety of legal matters.
Her Franklin law office also provides legal services in estate planning, probate, trusts, real estate, contracts, and related legal matters.
Opportunity for Public Discussion
Although no vote will be taken Thursday, the meeting is expected to provide the first public opportunity for council members to discuss Lucchesi’s qualifications, experience, and philosophy regarding the role of the City Attorney before next week’s confirmation vote.
Among the topics that could reasonably be addressed are her experience advising municipal governments, her approach to Wisconsin’s Open Meetings and Public Records laws, and how she views the role of the City Attorney in serving the Common Council, the Mayor, and the City as a municipal corporation.
Managing Potential Conflicts
Because Lucchesi both maintains a private law practice and resides in Franklin, Thursday’s meeting may also provide an opportunity to discuss how potential conflicts of interest would be identified and managed.
Attorneys serving municipalities commonly maintain private practices, and simply living or practicing in the community does not create a conflict of interest. However, municipal attorneys are expected to comply with professional ethics rules governing conflicts of interest and, when appropriate, disclose or recuse themselves from matters involving current or former clients or other circumstances that could affect their impartiality.
Residents may also be interested in learning whether Lucchesi has previously represented Franklin residents, businesses, developers, or organizations that conduct business with the City, and what procedures would be followed should such matters come before the Common Council.
Appointment Process
Thursday’s meeting may also provide insight into the City’s selection process, including why Mayor John Nelson chose Lucchesi for the position and what qualities he believes make her the best candidate to serve as Franklin’s next City Attorney.
Franklin Community News will attend the meeting and report on the discussion ahead of the Council’s anticipated vote on July 7.
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