Update (1/25/25, 2:45 p.m.):

After an abrupt exit from Joey Gilbert, the Douglas County School District has moved forward with hiring new representation.

At the district's board meeting on January 14, with a vote of 7-0, the board approved a new contract with the Allison MacKenzie Ltd. law firm, to be primarily represented by Ryan Russell.

Original Story (12/11/24, 11:20 a.m.):

Lawyer Joey Gilbert has resigned from the Douglas County School District.

Gilbert submitted a letter of resignation that takes effect next month.

In that letter, he said he has accomplished what he set out to do since taking the role of the district's legal representation.

He said that included overhauling district bylaws and transitioning the district to new leadership.

During a school board meeting Tuesday night Linda Gilkerson and Yvonne Wagstaff introduced two possible items including the termination of Joey Gilbert Law and also recommending applicants for new legal counsel.

Gilbert was hired by the school board in July 2023 after terminating its contract with Maupin, Cox & LeGoy. 

During that 2023 meeting, it was announced that the school district would pay Gilbert $7,500 monthly as a retainer fee, on top of a $325 hourly rate for counsel. It was an increase from the contract the board entered with Maupin, Cox & LeGoy in 2014 when they agreed to $5,000 monthly and $225 hourly.

As the school district's attorney, Gilbert's responsibilities included enforcing ethics policy and open meeting law, reviewing issues involving special education students, handling litigation against the district, and more.