Diana Stricker Photo
Branford will have a “hybrid” form of legal counsel with the services of Brenner, Saltzman and Wallman LLC of New Haven; and attorney William Aniskovich (pictured left) of Branford, who will oversee the general legal needs of the town.
The appointment of the New Haven-based firm as town counsel was unanimously approved by First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove and Second Selectman Joe Higgins at last night’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting. Bruce Storm, the sole Democrat on the three-member board, was absent.
Aniskovich, who was Cosgrove’s campaign organizer last year, was a former associate at Brenner, Saltzman and Wallman. He joined the firm in 1989, prior to his election as a state senator. He rejoined the firm this month in an “of counsel” or affiliated role.
Diana Stricker Photo
The motion to appoint the law firm as legal counsel last night passed quickly without explanation or comment, and did not include mention of Aniskovich’s role. Cosgrove did not elaborate on the issue of legal counsel until a question was asked prior to adjourning the meeting. It was at that time he talked about Aniskovich, who has been his political mentor from the start. Click here and here to read prior stories.
“My goal is to ensure the town has expert representation … and to manage our legal bills and expenses,” Cosgrove said. He said the New Haven law firm will provide expertise as needed and that Aniskovich will be working with the firm in a limited role. He said this “hybrid model” will reduce Branford’s legal expenses.
Cosgrove said he wants to limit the amount of times legal counsel will attend town meetings, and that “general advice will be provided by Bill Aniskovich.” Prior counsel William H. Clendenen, Jr. attended public meetings only on occasion over his six year tenure.
Diana Stricker Photo
Following the meeting, David Schaefer (pictured), managing partner of Brenner, Saltzman and Wallman, told the Eagle: “We’re looking forward to working with the town. We have a long tradition of proud legal service.”
“I can give advice and counsel on legal matters, and help David (Schaefer) and Jamie,” Aniskovich said. He said his work at the Stonington Institute occupies much of his time, and that any extensive legal matters will be handled by attorneys at Brenner, Saltzman and Wallman, or other legal firms as needed.
“We want to give Jamie the tools he needs,” Aniskovich said.
Aniskovich explained the term “hybrid model” to reporters following the meeting.
“The idea is to control legal expenses and coordinate the different firms that do business for the town,” Aniskovich said. “It’s not a one-stop-shop model.” A number of law firms currently handling ongoing cases for the town will continue to do so.
He said the New Haven law firm handles municipal cases for several communities, including New Haven and Hamden. The firm was established more than 40 years ago, and includes about 20 attorneys who practice in a variety of areas.
Diana Stricker Photo
Aniskovich is pictured here enjoying a lighter moment before the meeting with Attorney Peter Berdon and former Republican first selectman John Opie.
Aniskovich graduated from the Catholic University of America in 1985, and received his Master’s degree and law degree in 1989 from the University of Virginia. He served as a Republican state senator in the 12th District from 1990 until he lost his re-election bid in 2004 to State Sen. Ed Meyer.
He has served as CEO at the Stonington Institute in North Stonington since 2004. The institute is a treatment center for substance abuse and alcoholism, and also the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Schaefer, the managing partner at the New Haven-based legal firm, practices before state and federal trial and appellate courts. He joined the firm in 1980, and previously served several years as counsel to the U.S. Senate Governmental Affairs Committee chaired by Sen. Abraham Ribicoff, and on the senator’s personal staff. Schaefer graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1971, and received his law degree in 1973 from New York University School of Law.
###
