Recent articles in Newsday have been critical of a Long Island school attorney and the practice pursuant to which he was classified as an “employee” by several of his school district clients while maintaining a private law practice.  The attorney has repeatedly defended his conduct by asserting that the practice is a common one among school attorneys in the region.  In response to the article and inquiries from our clients and members of the communities which we service, we take this opportunity to issue a statement regarding this important topic.  Throughout its history, and that of its predecessor entities, our firm’s relationship with its municipal clients has always been pursuant to written agreements which provide for services in exchange for annual retainers and/or hourly rates.  No attorney or employee of Guercio & Guercio, LLP or its predecessor entities, has ever been classified as an employee by any municipal client while working for the firm. During employment with the firm, no one has ever received salary or benefits of any type from a municipal client except to the extent that he/she may be entitled to as the spouse of a municipal employee.

It is unfortunate that the attorney under scrutiny has attempted to deflect away from himself by calling into question the integrity of other members of an honorable profession.  However “common” this practice may be, we pledge that it has never been engaged in by an attorney or staff member at Guercio & Guercio, LLP or any of its predecessor entities.