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East Bank Authority to rely on Metro Legal as primary counsel; outside counsel to be retained as needed
Summary
The board voted to use Metro Legal as the authority’s primary legal counsel and to retain outside counsel on an ad hoc basis when conflicts or specialized expertise require it. The board also discussed having a short list of preapproved outside attorneys.
The East Bank Development Authority voted on Aug. 26 to rely on the Metro Legal Department as its primary legal counsel and to retain outside counsel on an as‑needed basis for conflicts or specialized matters.
Tom Cross of Metro Legal addressed the board and described models used by other Metro authorities, including instances when Metro Legal must recuse itself and the board hires outside counsel. Several board members said they would like a short list of three to five preapproved outside attorneys for specialty matters; the board’s motion instructs the authority to proceed with Metro Legal and to secure outside counsel when the need arises.
One board member recommended Saul Solomon as a potential outside counsel with municipal experience; others asked staff to return with additional names and specialties if the board requests a roster. The motion as clarified designated Metro Legal as the official department of record, with Cross committing to be the board’s primary Metro Legal contact when possible.
The motion passed by voice vote after discussion about conflicts of interest, response times and the practicalities of finding municipal attorneys with the relevant experience.
