Southern Lehigh School Board Changes Solicitor Amid Legal Costs

The Southern Lehigh School Board has approved a change in its legal representation, transitioning from the law firm KingSpry to Wisler Pearlstine. This decision follows KingSpry’s request to end its solicitor services, effective November 2023, after a year marked by heightened legal bills and ongoing investigations related to harassment and discrimination complaints.

In a statement to The Morning Call, John E. Freund, III, a founding member of KingSpry, expressed that the decision was in the best interest of all parties involved. During the board meeting, Superintendent Karen Trinkle acknowledged KingSpry’s contributions, stating, “We thank attorney Freund and his team for partnering with us in the last few years, and we’re appreciative of the relationship and the guidance you’ve provided us during that time.”

The switch comes after scrutiny from board members regarding Freund’s handling of investigations surrounding complaints from former human resources director Ethan Ake-Little against former Superintendent Michael Mahon.

Legal Expenses and Investigations

A recent analysis of legal expenditures revealed that between January 1, 2024, and September 1, 2025, the Southern Lehigh School District incurred approximately $345,000 in legal fees. The analysis indicated that about 42% of these costs were attributed to routine legal needs, such as special education litigation, tax matters, and contract reviews. The remaining 58% fell under a miscellaneous category, suggesting significant involvement in the investigations related to Ake-Little’s complaints.

Of the total legal costs, KingSpry received $232,921, while other firms, including Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams and Fox Rothschild, received smaller amounts for various legal services. Notably, $80,279 of KingSpry’s invoices pertained directly to special education litigation, and additional charges stemmed from Right-to-Know requests and other administrative activities.

Mahon was placed on administrative leave in February 2023 and subsequently reached a separation agreement with the district in July, valued at nearly $250,000. This settlement included $25,000 in attorney fees and $110,000 to resolve mutual claims. Ake-Little, who was suspended in June, also reached a settlement of $215,000 in August, which did not cover his attorney fees.

Future Directions with New Counsel

With Wisler Pearlstine taking over, one of the initial tasks will be to evaluate employee compensation practices following concerns about gender pay disparities. During the October 13 board meeting, board member Emily Gehman highlighted discrepancies in salaries between male and female employees, specifically pointing out the starting salary of incoming human resources director Darbe DeHaven at $125,000 compared to the previous male directors.

Gehman emphasized that these systemic issues regarding pay equity had been ongoing and required immediate attention. “I’m talking about systemic things that I have raised over and over again about the disparity between men and women in this district,” she remarked.

The fee agreement with Wisler Pearlstine includes a monthly retainer of $1,750 for basic services, which encompasses attending board meetings and providing legal advice. The contract is effective immediately and will remain in place until June 30, 2027.

As investigations continue within the district, the board’s decision to switch solicitors reflects a broader commitment to governance and accountability during a challenging period.