Hingham selectmen voted 2-1 on Dec. 28 to hire attorney John Coughlin as the next town counsel, after interviewing two candidates for the position.

The decision follows the resignation of longtime town counsel James Toomey, who said he felt the role had become too narrow for his larger firm. Over the past few years, the town has decided to segregate its caseload, bringing on different lawyers depending on the nature of the case.