Friendswood replaces longtime city law firm

Friendswood's City Council voted Monday to move on to a new law firm.

The vote replaces Olson & Olson, which has represented the city for many years, with Houston Firm Ross, Banks, May, Cron and Cavin. The Council still has to work out the details of how it will transition to its new firm, says city spokesperson Nick Haby.

Ross, Banks is one of three firms the council interviewed, at the end of a long process in which it debated whether to end its relationship with the Olson firm. Some city officials complained about the firm after a legal dispute arose about the city's attempt to purchase some park land in Alvin.

"We have some pending litigation that's been going on for years... I think that maybe we needed some fresh eyes on it," says council member Jim Hill. "We have a lot of respect for [Olson & Olson], but it was just time to make a move."

Ross, Banks' other government clients have included League City, Seabrook, and Rosenberg, according to the firm's website.

Hill was quoted in 2009 as saying that Olson and another firm, Vinson & Elkins "gave us bad advice and really caused the city a lot of embarrassment" on the Alvin deal, but took a more respectful tone Wednesday morning.

"To end the relationship that we had with Olson is not something you take lightly," he says.