​Breach of Trust: Why Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella Must be Replaced!

Breach of Trust: Why Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella Must be Replaced as Newmarket’s Legal Counsel

In any town, the law firm tasked with representing the local government holds a position of immense responsibility. They are not just legal advisors, they are guardians of public integrity. In Newmarket, New Hampshire, the continued employment of the law firm Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella (DTC) has become indefensible in light of mounting ethical concerns and serious allegations that strike at the heart of public trust.

Accusations of Deception

Attorneys from DTC have been accused of lying or misrepresenting facts to multiple authorities, including the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Ombudsman, the Rockingham Superior Court, and even the New Hampshire Supreme Court. These alleged deceptions apppear to have been aimed at shielding the Newmarket Town Council from accountability for violations of the state’s Right-to-Know Law, a statute designed to ensure access to records and meetings. If these allegations are accurate, they represent not just lapses in judgment but potential violations of professional conduct rules and legal ethics. A town attorney’s duty is to uphold the law, not to obscure it; to advise, not to cover up; to serve the people, not to protect power.

A Culture of Evasion

Rather than helping the town comply with transparency laws, DTC’s legal strategy appears, by many accounts, to have prioritized evasion. This has fostered an atmosphere of secrecy and mistrust in local government. For citizens trying to exercise their legal right to public information, the path has been obstructed by legal posturing and questionable arguments rather than cooperation. Such behavior not only undermines the spirit of the Right-to-Know Law, but it suggests a deliberate attempt to subvert it.

The Broader Ethical Implications

When a firm engages in conduct that raises red flags at multiple levels of the judicial system, it ceases to be a neutral legal advisor and becomes a liability. Even the appearance of unethical conduct, especially at the expense of transparency and citizen oversight, should be grounds for reevaluation of that firm’s role in public affairs.
It is critical to remember that municipal attorneys do not work for the town council; they work for the people of the town. When that distinction is lost, the entire system of representative government begins to erode.

Newmarket Deserves Better

There are many qualified, reputable law firms in New Hampshire that could serve Newmarket with integrity and impartiality. The continued reliance on DTC, in light of these serious allegations, sends the wrong message to residents: that secrecy is acceptable, and accountability is optional. The time has come for the Town Council, and more importantly, the citizens of Newmarket, to demand new legal representation. One that respects the law, values the truth, and understands that public service begins with public trust.

Jeffrey Thomas Clay