As he prepares to leave his post as Southold Town Attorney, Martin Finnegan looks back on his experience and explains the reasons for his departure.
“Prior to becoming town attorney, I was in private practice for 17 years,” Finnegan told SoutholdLOCAL Tuesday. “Serving as town attorney has been extremely gratifying and I am proud of all my office was able to accomplish over the past five-and-a-half years. While I have very much enjoyed the opportunity to provide counsel to all of the town’s elected and appointed boards and to the town’s excellent department heads and employees, my intention was always to return to the private sector and I feel that now is a good time for me and for my family to do so.”
Southold Town Supervisor discussed Finnegan’s decision on Monday. “This is a huge loss for the people of Southold. It will be very difficult to find someone of his caliber to assume the role.”
The search will begin immediately for a replacement, the supervisor said, adding that the matter would be discussed at Tuesday’s town board meeting.
“I anticipate advertising immediately to find a new attorney who can hopefully serve the town as well as Martin has,” Russell said.
Finnegan has served the town since 2009, when he filled the position left vacant by his wife, Patricia Finnegan, who lost her battle with cancer that year.
