A municipal law firm that has represented several area cities has dissolved, but the previous partners have joined a different local group with which most of the cities are now contracting.

Jerry Mason and Nancy Stricklin, previous partners at Mason and Stricklin, LLC, have joined the Coeur d'Alene office of Boise-based Hawley Troxell.

"Nancy wants to retire in the near future and I'm ready to trim back," said Mason, referring to why the move was made. "I've spent a lot of nights at meetings. It's probably time to pare back a bit.

"We think this will be a win all the way around. Bigger firms give people access to more resources, but they'll still get the personal services that they've had since we've been in business."

In addition to Mason and Stricklin, attorney John Cafferty has joined Hawley Troxell partner Danielle Quade in the Coeur d'Alene office.

"We are very pleased to expand our Coeur d'Alene location to better serve our clients, and are excited to welcome Jerry, Nancy and John to the firm," said Steve Berenter, managing partner.

Mason has represented the city of Post Falls for more than 20 years. Stricklin and Mason became partners 12 years ago and the two have also represented the cities of Hayden, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, Oldtown, Clark Fork, Kellogg and Tensed. The two have also represented the Panhandle Health District.

Mason has also represented city of Worley, Association of Idaho Cities and the board of the Idaho Counties' Risk Management Program. Stricklin has also represented the city of Kootenai in Bonner County.

Mason said Hawley Troxell would like to continue to represent those agencies as he and/or Stricklin have, but it's up to them.

Mason said the only agency that he and Stricklin have cut ties with during the transition is Spirit Lake, but he declined to say why.

The rate the cities will pay for the services of Hawley Troxell is $135 per hour, the same rate Mason and Stricklin charged last year.

Post Falls is expected to approve a contract with Hawley Troxell tonight.

"Jerry and Nancy have provided extraordinary services for the city in the past and I have no doubt that level of service will continue under Hawley Troxell," Shelly Enderud, Post Falls' city administrator, wrote in a memo to the city council. "The city has also worked with Danielle on a number of projects and has been extremely happy with the services she has provided."

Rathdrum will consider a contract with Hawley Troxell on Jan. 14. Hayden approved a contract with the group last month.

"Not all of the (agencies) have made a decision (to switch to Hawley Troxell)," Mason said. "This is still breaking for everyone."