Richmond law firm no longer represents Martinsville

Richmond law firm Sands Anderson no longer represents the City of Martinsville as legal counsel.

The Martinsville Bulletin reported on June 29 that members of Martinsville City Council confirmed that the firm is no longer serving as the city’s attorney. Neither the city nor Sands Anderson responded to a request for comment by deadline.

As of July 1, Sands Anderson remains listed on the city’s website as city attorney, with the website noting that Martinsville has contracted with the firm to provide legal counsel and that Sands Anderson specializes in assisting municipalities with legal issues.

The separation was reported two days before the city released a summary of its workplace investigation that led to the firing of former City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides last year.

The city defended its decision in a July 1 press release outlining the reasons for termination, alleging questionable hiring practices and fiscal irregularities among the reasons for Ferrell-Benavides’ termination for cause.

Cardinal News reported last month that Ferrell-Benavides filed a federal lawsuit on June 8 alleging discrimination and retaliation. The lawsuit came on the same day as Martinsville Mayor LC Jones’ federal suit alleging defamation.

Per their reporting, both lawsuits allege that Sands Anderson, a defendant in both cases, made accusations that led to Ferrell-Benavides’ termination and Jones’ prior suspension from office.

The reported separation between Sands Anderson and the City of Martinsville also comes just over a week after the city announced a major courthouse renovation project that could cost around $46 million and see the city’s municipal building be converted into a new court facility.

That plan was prompted by a show cause order entered by the Martinsville Circuit Court in September 2024 claiming the court facilities fell short of state law requirements.

There is no indication on who is serving as replacement counsel or providing legal services to the city following Sands Anderson’s departure.