While a city the size of Omaha can have a law department with dozens of attorneys specializing in areas such as taxation and prosecution, smaller communities in the Metro can't afford that luxury.

Turning to outside law firms to represent them in civil matters and to provide legal counsel on ordinances and such, communities like Valley and Waterloo have learned to lean on their attorneys' expertise.

For lawyers like Jeff Farnsworth and Desirae Solomon, it's an opportunity to practice law that complements their firms' missions.

Farnsworth’s relationship with the City of Valley began around 2010, when he was retained to help with its annexation of Ginger Cove and Ginger Woods. The annexation proved controversial with residents of the then-subdivisions, who fought the move in court. Valley’s annexation of the areas was upheld by the Nebraska Supreme Court, with Farnsworth representing the city in the case.

The annexation set the foundation for much of Valley’s population growth, which has doubled since 2000.

“A lot of being a city attorney these days, and particularly in Valley, relates to the development of real estate,” Farnsworth said. “And I've always done a lot of real estate work as my legal career has gotten longer. I've sort of specialized in that, both because of my representation of Valley on the municipal side, but also in my private practice.”

Working with clients who have developed land in Sarpy County, Farnsworth has gained an expertise in real estate law and municipal codes.

For Solomon, her work with Waterloo’s Village Board is more transactional, reviewing contracts and offering advice on ordinances. A litigator by nature, Solomon’s work with Waterloo offers a break from her regular schedule.

She enjoys the relationships she’s developed with the five board members, as well as village employees, Solomon said. A successful relationship creates positive communication, she said.

Board members often consult her with questions concerning a meeting’s agenda beforehand, rather than consuming time during a meeting, Solomon said. It may require legal research, such as questions concerning a proposed contract, she said.

“Rather than waiting until the middle of the meeting, and there are questions being asked of an attorney that come out of left field, we’ll table it,” Solomon said. “Sometimes, we’ll say, ‘Don't put that on the agenda. Let's have it on the next agenda.’ It’s going to go much smoother for the public.”

One of her favorite things about working with the Waterloo Village Board is public interaction.

“I think that municipal government, such as city councils and village boards, are some of the truest forms of local government,” she said. “And what I mean by that is the village, like the public, gets an active opportunity to participate in ordinances or things that are happening in their community. And that's what I love about it, how the public really has something to say and can address the board about why they think some ordinance should be passed or why an ordinance should not be passed.”

Local government allows easy public access, she said.

“I like that part of it,” Solomon said. “I like that you can see how the municipality is spending money. For example, it's really neat when new park equipment is purchased. Those things I think are important. It's what drives communities. It's why people live in certain communities. So it's neat to see those types of things take place.”

Probably the biggest challenge in her role as a village attorney is that some people in the community believe she represents them personally, Solomon said.

“That can kind of be difficult when the public is upset about something that happened in their community,” she said. “Sometimes they feel that they can call me, but I don't represent them. My client is the village, so I can't answer those questions. I can't provide legal advice. And I think sometimes people think I should take their side, so that can be difficult. But they're not my client, the village is.”

Farnsworth shares Solomon’s view of public involvement with local government.

“Anything that the City of Valley does is questioned,” he said. “It’s a democracy. But, there is a vocal minority in Valley that doesn’t seem to like local government. I feel that, for the most part, if they knew the facts, their opinion would be different.”

Farnsworth’s role also includes providing advice regarding personnel matters. In 2024, the city dealt with issues involving police officers’ personal conduct, resulting in the resignation of a police chief and the employment termination of an officer. His advice is also related to how actions are taken in accordance with law, he said.

Farnsworth and Solomon both said they know where the line is drawn when it comes to a personal legal situation over a city matter.

“Our duty is to advise them and act in the best interest of the city, certainly, just like you would for any other client,” Farnsworth said. “I think a situation would be where the person's individual rights were involved, and they were different from what's in the best interest of the city. In other words, an adverse interest.”

His 15 years of experience with Valley has seen Farnsworth work with three mayors – Mary Caffey, Barb Smith and Cindy Grove.

“All very good people,” he said. “All very good mayors. Mary Caffey had the vision to start the annexation, which led to Bluewater and Flatwater. Mallard Lake and Bluewater were essentially financed through tax increment financing, and it’s been very beneficial to the city in terms of the value it’s created, and the valuation that will be coming to the city over the next 20-25 years.

“Mayor Grove has systemized a lot of things and sort of brought the administrative offices up-to-date with technology and things like that. You’d have to conclude that Valley is in pretty good shape.”

Grove said she appreciates the experience that Farnsworth and his partner, Andrea Griffin, bring to the city attorney role.

“It’s extremely valuable to have someone with the background and knowledge you get with being in the role for so long,” she said. “It can be much more efficient to have someone that just knows things instead of having to research and find out what was done in the past. For me personally, it’s also been helpful to hear from Jeff and Andrea what other mayors have done to help pave the way.”

While Waterloo may be a long way from being large enough to have its own legal department, Farnsworth can foresee the day when the City of Valley creates its own law department. With developments such as the Elkhorn Athletic Association’s sports complex, Catalina and others coming on board, significantly increasing Valley’s population and value, the city has a strong future, he said.

“Valley is a different place now than it was 15 years ago,” Farnsworth said.