Despite lobbying by some local law firms to represent Baton Rouge in what could be a very lucrative opioid abuse case, the Metro Council on Wednesday approved hiring and executing a contract with Dallas-based Baron & Budd to litigate the case.
The council voted 7-2 to hire the firm, which had been vetted by the Parish Attorney. Council members Buddy Amoroso and Dwight Hudson voted against the hire. Erika Greene and Scott Wilson were absent.
Baron & Budd is a national law firm that’s currently representing several dozen jurisdictions throughout the country in opioid epidemic cases filed against pharmaceutical companies. Attorney Chris Whittington, however, asked the council to hear pitches and offers from “everybody that’s got something to offer to this litigation.”
Mayor Sharon Weston Broome has said she supports having Baton Rouge join a lawsuit against major drug distributors. Dozens of municipalities and states across the country are undertaking similar cases as they litigate the opioid epidemic.
Also on Wednesday, the council officially introduced a proposal increase the salary range for the next airport director from between $77,000 and $129,000 to $89,000 and $149,000. The proposal is intended to make the position more appealing to potential job candidates. A public hearing on the proposal will take on Jan. 10.
And faced with another deadlock vote, the council opted to appoint both LaMont Cole and Matt Watson its representatives to a review committee Industrial Tax Exemption Program applications.
