Board to explore Pointer‒Spruill candidates, schedule closed-session interviews Nov. 17
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Summary
The board discussed four options for county legal services on Nov. 3: continue with Pointer‒Spruill, issue an RFP, hire in-house counsel, or a hybrid model. Commissioners asked to meet Pointer‒Spruill candidates; the firm offered two attorneys (a partner and an associate) and staff scheduled closed-session interviews for Nov. 17.
The Board of Commissioners discussed options for selecting Chatham County’s next county attorney following notice from the current lead attorney that he plans to shift roles at his firm.
County Manager Brian Thompson summarized four options: (1) continue with the current outside firm (Pointer‒Spruill) and identify a successor attorney within the firm; (2) issue a request for proposals and go to market; (3) recruit and hire an in-house staff attorney to serve as county counsel; or (4) adopt a hybrid model that combines a staff attorney with an external retainer for specialized matters.
Pointer‒Spruill’s Bob Hageman told the board the firm has a deep bench and would be willing to help with transition work; he said the engagement letter identifies a principal attorney who works with the county and that the firm could provide experienced attorneys with land-use and local-government expertise. Hageman and staff named two Pointer‒Spruill attorneys who could serve in the county-attorney role: Evan Lee (senior associate doing much day-to-day work with staff) and Emily Meeker (a partner the firm suggested for the principal role). The firm said Hageman would remain available as ‘‘of counsel’’ and could assist in transition work in a more limited capacity.
Several commissioners said they value the existing relationship with Pointer‒Spruill and recommended starting by interviewing firm candidates — with a fallback to issue an RFP if interviews do not produce a satisfactory fit. The board agreed to invite the Pointer‒Spruill candidates to meet commissioners in closed session on Nov. 17 so commissioners can evaluate fit and experience. Staff was asked to provide bios and contact information and to prepare budgetary impacts for each option in time for upcoming budget discussions.
Legal authority: staff noted General Statute 153A‑114, which requires board appointment of a county attorney and that the attorney be licensed to practice in North Carolina; the board must appoint an attorney in open session by majority vote when it takes that formal step.
No formal appointment was made on Nov. 3; the board directed staff to arrange candidate meetings and gather additional information.