Hinsdale D86 Ousts Its Law Firm

HINSDALE, IL – The Hinsdale High School District 86 board on Thursday replaced its main law firm with one that has been doing work for the district since last spring.

In a unanimous vote, the board chose Chicago-based Robbins Schwartz to handle its legal work, replacing Itasca-based Hodges Loizzi firm.

Board members did not discuss the selection at its meeting, but likely did so behind closed doors.

In May, the board hired Robbins Schwartz to handle the ouster of then-Superintendent Tammy Prentiss, who agreed to leave in return for receiving her full $277,000 salary and health benefits for another year.

The board also voted to have Robbins Schwartz conduct investigations in response to letters from parents. No details have been released.

When a new board majority took control last May, it focused on showing Prentiss the door. Hodges Loizzi may have been seen as too close to Prentiss.

In 2022, Hodges Loizzi was one of the sponsors of a trip to the Dominican Republic for a statewide group that represents school administrators. A name partner of the firm took the trip, as did Prentiss and pro-Prentiss board member Terri Walker. In Thursday's vote, Walker paused before joining the others in approving Robbins Schwartz.

In 2021, members Peggy James and Debbie Levinthal, who resigned in frustration a few months ago, clashed with Hodges Loizzi after the district relied on the firm's advice to deny their public records request for board members' emails about a 2021 contract with "antiracist" consultants.

The two later filed a complaint with the attorney general, as did Patch. The district prevailed.

Both Robbins Schwartz and Hodges Loizzi specialize in representing school districts.