On Saturday, April 11, the Tallahassee Democrat reported that School Board chair Marcus Nicolas has accepted the top job at a media company owned by prominent Tallahassee attorney and lobbyist Sean Pittman. In the report, Nicolas said “his new role does not pose a conflict”. However, TR’s research indicates there are several connections between Sean Pittman operated businesses and the Leon County School Board which raise questions about potential conflicts.
Pittman’s Connections
ESPMedia is a local public relations firm that was founded in 2007 by Pittman. The firm represents political candidates, local agencies and both non-profit and for-profit organizations. In addition, a query of state business records shows that Pittman is the CEO of the Pittman Law Group and the Chairman of the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce. Pittman is also the host of The Sean Pittman Show, a podcast which offers “a space for… a variety of individuals to let their voice be heard.”
Both the Pittman Law Group and The Sean Pittman Show are listed as clients of ESPMedia.
A search of campaign finance records shows that ESPMedia was a vendor for Leon County School Board member Daryl Jones during the 2018 and 2022 election cycles. Jones is currently running for re-election in 2026. Jones has appeared on The Sean Pittman Show multiple times.
Also, public records show that the Pittman Law Group was hired by the Leon County School Board in 2021 to provide legal services. The contract designated Opal McKinney-Williams (Lead Counsel) as the Board’s General Counsel. The contract called for a monthly retainer of $6,500 which applies for the first 35 hours. Any services provided in excess of the first 35 hours will be billed at the rate of $195 per hour for the Lead Counsel, $165 per hour for all other attorneys, and $75 per hour for paralegals and legal assistants/clerks.
During a May 28, 2024 school board meeting, elected officials voted to exercise the Pittman Law Group’s contract renewal option through June 30, 2027, and revised the monthly retainer to $9,000.00 for forty (40) hours and the hourly billing rates in excess of the first forty (40) hours to $225.00 for the Lead Counsel, and $200.00 for all other attorneys effective July 1, 2024.
In addition, a query of state business records shows that Pittman is the Chairman of the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce. This group lists several companies doing business with the Leon County School Board. In addition, the Leon County School Board and the Leon Schools Foundation are members of the group.
Under this new arrangement, the school board’s general counsel and an elected school board member will be working for different companies controlled by the same person, Sean Pittman, who has various financial interests with the Leon County School Board.
Nicolas told the Democrat “his new role does not pose a conflict with his service on the school board because any potential work between the board and ESPMedia would be handled directly by Pittman.”
The LCS voted to exercise the Pittman Law Group’s contract renewal option through June 30, 2027, and revised the monthly retainer to $9,000.00 for forty (40) hours and the hourly billing rates in excess of the first forty (40) hours to $225.00 for the Lead Counsel, and $200.00 for all other attorneys effective July 1, 2024......... WTH, and you wonder WHY they are always BROKE. It would be 10 times CHEAPER to just HIRE an Attorney to be on Staff FULL TIME.