By ANDREA POTEET
Sunday Times Newspapers
ALLEN PARK – The city has hired a new attorney firm to replace Anthony Guerriero, whose last day is Dec. 31.
Royal Oak-based Flood Lanctot Connor Stablein PLLC. was appointed Dec. 7 to replace Guerriero, 58, who has worked for the city for three years. Flood-Lanctot was begun in 2002 and employs 16 litigators.
Guerriero said he has been working with the firm, and that the transition will be “seamless.”
“There won’t be any of the city’s work that’s left undone,” Guerriero said. “Anything we’re involved with will transition smoothly.”
Guerriero, who has been practicing law with his private firm based in the city for more than 20 years, said he resigned in order to spend more time with his family. As the general counsel for Westwood Community Schools and the Hamtramck Housing Commission, his workload was too great, he said.
“It just became a decision of either keep working seven days a week or get to see my family once in a while,” Guerriero said. “It comes a point when you need to spend a little more time at home.”
Guerriero has been married to his wife, Elizabeth, for nearly 33 years. Their daughter, Gina, 20, lives at home and attends Madonna University.
The City Council was reluctant to accept his resignation, but Guerriero said the time was right.
“I’ve tried to do a very good job and I’ve been honored to represent the city,” he said, “but there comes a point when you have to make a decision, and that was it.”
Guerriero also served as a 24th District Court judge from 2003 to 2005.
He said he also hopes to focus more on his private practice and his other professional commitments, but is continuing to complete a few projects for the city. Guerriero said his large extended family of more than 52 living in the city and his private practice will keep him tied to the area long after he steps down from his post.
“I don’t intend to miss working with Allen Park,” he said. “My office is only half a mile away from the City Hall … they know where to find me.”
(Contact Andrea Poteet at [email protected])