Conroe ISD Outsourcing Legal to Save $200K

Conroe ISD Board Votes Unanimously to Outsource Legal Services, Projects $200,000 in Annual Savings

**Conroe, TX – June 19, 2024** – Conroe Independent School District’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday, June 18, to outsource its legal services, ending a 17-year partnership with its long-standing legal counsel, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. The significant change, driven primarily by an anticipated $200,000 in annual cost savings, will see Austin-based firm Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle P.C. take over the district’s legal representation starting July 1, 2024.

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Null presented the proposed change to the board, emphasizing the substantial financial benefits of the new arrangement. Dr. Null noted that the district’s current firm, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P., typically billed hourly rates between $200 and $225 for attorneys and $135 for paralegals. The new contract with Walsh Gallegos, a firm renowned for its expertise in Texas school law, includes a flat monthly retainer fee of $15,000. This retainer is designed to cover the majority of general legal advice and routine document review. Additional, more complex services would then be billed hourly at rates ranging from $175 to $225.

Dr. Null explained that the decision followed a competitive bid process, though only two firms ultimately submitted proposals. He stated that Walsh Gallegos was selected not only for the substantial projected cost reductions but also for their commitment to providing more proactive legal advice and support to the district.

Board President Skeeter Hubert echoed the superintendent’s sentiments, highlighting the board’s fiduciary responsibility. “It’s our job to always look for ways to be more efficient and cost-effective for our taxpayers,” Hubert stated during the meeting, underscoring the board’s duty to explore all options that provide value and fiscal prudence to the district’s operations.

Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.L.P. has served as Conroe ISD’s trusted legal representation since 2007, handling a comprehensive range of legal matters for the district. Over their nearly two-decade tenure, the firm navigated several high-profile challenges, including a significant federal lawsuit in 2018, securing a restraining order in 2020, and addressing various election challenges faced by the district in 2023. Their contract with Conroe ISD officially concludes on June 30, 2024, paving the way for the new legal partnership.

Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle P.C. is a prominent law firm with multiple offices across Texas, widely recognized for its deep specialization in school law. The firm’s practice areas typically include advising public school districts on governance, employment law, special education, litigation, and real estate matters.

The transition marks a new chapter for Conroe ISD’s legal operations, with the new partnership with Walsh Gallegos set to begin in just under two weeks. District officials anticipate a seamless transition as they move towards a new model designed to optimize both legal support and financial resources for the benefit of the district and its taxpayers.