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Board reviews three outside counsel proposals, plans closed-session interviews Sept. 4
Summary
The Board received proposals from three law firms for outside counsel, discussed hourly rates and possible flat-fee retainers, and scheduled closed-session interviews at the next meeting to vet references and clarify scope.
The Buncombe County Board of Elections reviewed proposals from three law firms and agreed to interview two locally based firms in closed session at its next meeting.
Firms and fee proposals as presented
Staff summarized three submissions: • Tarrington Smith LLP (Colin Shive): Mr. Shive previously advised the Board in 2019 on a municipal-election question. Staff reported Mr. Shive’s rate as $285 per hour and that he expects to perform work remotely unless in-person negotiation requires travel. • Allen, Stahl & Kilborn (Brandon Freeman, Beau Carpenter connection): The proposal lists higher partner/lead rates and indicated the firm could consider a flat monthly retainer; staff summarized Brandon Freeman’s listed hourly rate at roughly $325 and a partner rate higher than that. • Teague Campbell (Matt Mason / Deborah Bechtold): The firm works with several county boards; staff cited an attorney hourly rate of $250 and a paralegal rate of $125 in the proposal.
Board discussion and next steps
Board members raised conflict-of-interest considerations for a local firm with prior county ties, asked staff to check references (Guilford County and others) and requested a clear scope of work to compare flat-fee proposals vs. hourly billing. The Board asked staff to contact references and report back, and to invite the two local firms to short, staggered closed-session interviews at the start of the Sept. 4 meeting (the Board will open publicly at 3:30 p.m. and convene the closed-session interviews at about 3:00 p.m.).
Ending
Staff will check references provided in proposals, follow up with firms about possible flat-fee options or retainers and distribute a proposed set of interview questions in advance so Board members can review. The Board did not select counsel at this meeting.
