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Board outlines options to replace county attorney; initial plan to interview Pointer Spruill candidates
Summary
With current county attorney Bob Hageman transitioning roles, the board discussed four attorney‑selection options — continue with Pointer Spruill, issue an RFP, hire in‑house counsel, or a hybrid model — and signaled preference to first explore Pointer Spruill candidates (Evan Lee and partner Emily Meeker) for interviews and closed‑session meetings on Nov. 17, with an RFP as a fallback.
County Manager Bridal Thompson briefed the board on General Statute requirements for appointing a county attorney and presented four options for replacing Bob Hageman, who plans to transition away from day‑to‑day county service by year’s end. The options were: (1) continue with Pointer Spruill and identify a successor within the firm, (2) run an RFP to the market, (3) hire a staff (in‑house) attorney, or (4) adopt a hybrid model with in‑house counsel plus an outside retainer.
Board members discussed tradeoffs including bench depth, cost, institutional knowledge and ability to handle specialized matters such as land use and elections. Several commissioners expressed confidence in Pointer Spruill’s bench and suggested meeting candidates in closed session or informal coffees; one commissioner preferred an RFP if a suitable fit is not identified. Pointer Spruill offered two potential candidates (senior associate Evan Lee and partner Emily Meeker) and indicated they could attend a closed session on Nov. 17. The board gave staff direction to pursue interviews with Pointer Spruill candidates while keeping an RFP as a contingency.
