Fireworks Expected: Maricopa Board Axes Ogletree Deakins, Law Firm for Sheriff Arpaio
In the latest battle in a hard-fought war between Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz., and the county’s board of supervisors, the governing body voted today to fire the law firm that has been representing Arpaio and his office against the board and even some judges in a fight for control that some observers fear has threatened the rule of law.
Yesterday, as news of the planned move leaked out in advance, attorney Eric Dowell of Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart said his law firm had done nothing wrong and threatened to file suit if it was fired.
Today’s report of the board’s vote to fire the firm this morning, in the Phoenix Business Journal, doesn’t include any comment from Ogletree–or an explanation of what it said is a long list of issues cited by the board in a letter it sent to the law firm.
However, the Arizona Republic provides a copy of the termination letter (PDF).
