The Mount Pleasant village attorney who sued a Foxconn critic has been released from his contract
The Mount Pleasant village attorney who filed a defamation lawsuit against a frequent critic of the Foxconn project has been released from his contract.
Chris Smith requested the release but will continue to provide legal services for Mount Pleasant. The Mount Pleasant Village Board unanimously approved the change during its Aug. 8 meeting after a closed session.
The change is effective Friday.
Smith was hired May 26, 2021, for a five-year term, according to his contract. He was paid an annual salary of $144,800.
When reached by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Smith declined to comment.
Smith has been hired by Milwaukee law firm von Briesen & Roper. That's the same firm that has been contracted to do the legal work since 2017 for the Foxconn development. Since that time, von Briesen & Roper has been paid $1.76 million by Mount Pleasant, according to village records.
"It should be noted that when we hired Chris, we hired a very fine attorney, one that specifically had a great understanding of contractual law," said Village President Dave DeGroot at the Village Board meeting.
"He has been noticed around the state for his legal mind. Because of his visibility here, at the village of Mount Pleasant, others recognized that we have something going on here with Chris's talent."
Board member Ram Bhatia also thanked Smith for the "excellent job and services he has provided for the community."
In March, Smith alleged he was defamed by resident Kelly Gallaher and sought punitive damages.
Smith's lawsuit claimed Gallaher's “hundreds” of negative posts on social media about village policies, politics, officials and employees caused him "emotional distress."
Gallaher has run the website and social media accounts "A Better Mount Pleasant" since 2016, where she has questioned and criticized village officials.
Racine County Circuit Judge Jon Fredrickson dismissed the case in May. Gallaher later filed complaints with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission and the Supreme Court of Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation.
On Aug. 1, the office responded with a letter to Gallaher saying a preliminary investigation determined the facts don't provide sufficient information that Smith engaged in misconduct or should be disciplined.
However, the grievance raised issues that were of concern to the Office of Lawyer Regulation and Smith was contacted and given advice with ways to avoid similar problems in the future, the letter says.
Gallaher was told she can request a review of the decision, which she said she plans to do.
The Office of Lawyer regulation received 1,375 inquiries and grievances during fiscal year 2020-21.
There were only five dismissals with an advisory letter during that time period, according to the office's 2020-21 report.
Gallaher called Smith's behavior at the village "deeply troubling."
"He has disqualified himself to represent the village in anyway, either full-time or as an outside attorney," Gallaher said. "No resident can feel safe knowing he might file a lawsuit against you if you annoy him too much."
Corrinne Hess can be reached at chess@gannett.com. Follow her @corrihess
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mount Pleasant village attorney who sued Foxconn critic resigns
