Corporation Counsel

The South Portland City Council appoints the City's legal counsel, also known as Corporation Counsel. In 2024, the City Council retained the law firm of Perkins Thompson to serve in this capacity, with Brandon Mazer in specific as Corporation Counsel. (Mr. Mazer began serving after Sally Daggett, who served as Corporation Counsel from 2008-2024, stepped down from her role at the previously retained law firm Jensen Baird.) The City will occasionally use other legal counsel in circumstances where particular expertise is required or the Corporation Counsel has a conflict of time or interest. The City Council will be selecting new Corporation Counsel in spring of 2024, due to the announced departure of Sally Daggett.

One of the great challenges in municipal law is the variety of legal subjects, especially given the limited time in which answers and solutions are needed. Corporation Counsel handles questions ranging from taxation to insurance, personal injury to civil rights, constitutional law to administrative law, property rights to environmental law, and contracts to personnel matters. Local, State, and Federal law must be observed.

Corporation Counsel's work can be divided into three approximately equal parts: litigation, City Council issues (for example, advising the Council at meetings and drafting ordinances), and advising the other City departments when questions arise. Corporation Counsel does not deal directly with members of the public.

Litigation in the City is varied. Many types of cases, not involving money damages (which are often handled by attorneys appointed by the City's insurance carrier), are handled by Corporation Counsel. All governmental action (for example, a Planning Board decision or challenge to the validity of an ordinance), and enforcement of ordinances are handled by Corporation Counsel. Additionally, Corporation Counsel monitors all litigation to determine if any preventive measures can be taken to minimize future lawsuits.

Since the day-to-day functioning of City business frequently requires fast decision-making on any number of subjects of great delicacy-good relations and communications are necessary between the Corporation Counsel and other departments. Corporation Counsel offers advice and counsel when requested by the City's numerous departments and boards/committees.

Please note: For questions and public record requests under the Freedom of Access Act ("Right to Know" law), please email Shara Dee, Communications/Public Access Officer.