With the Town of Fountain Hills terminating its contract for legal services with Gust Rosenfeld last week, steps have being taken to fill the void, according to Town Manager Grady Miller.

Miller announced Tuesday afternoon that Fredda Bisman with the firm of Dickinson Wright would serve as interim town attorney until a permanent replacement is selected. Bisman begins that position with the Oct. 10 special session of the council.

Miller has also explained the situation with the termination of Andrew McGuire and Gust Rosenfled.

“This was a contract for professional legal services, not an employee/ employer relationship,” Miller said. “There were no cancellation fees, severance payments, or other termination fees associated with terminating the contract.”

Following the direction of the Town Council, the town manager was directed to hire an interim town attorney. Miller said he has been receiving and requesting resumes from well qualified municipal attorneys interested in the interim position.

During the interim period, the Town Council will meet to work with the town manager and staff in identifying a legal services model that best fits the town’s needs. This will involve reviewing the possibility of a full-time attorney position, another contract for legal services, or some combination thereof.

After the Council has decided on its preferred legal services approach, the Town of Fountain Hills will proceed with a recruitment to fill a full-time attorney position and/or solicit proposals from qualified law firms interested in providing legal services to the town.