820-6-24 Legal Services

Sampson County Board of Education (Sampson County Schools) is seeking proposals for legal services to serve as the School Board Attorney. The selected firm must be well-versed in education law, particularly federal and state statutory and case law governing public education, special education, civil service, human resources, and general municipal matters in North Carolina. The firm will be expected to provide a broad range of legal services, including attending all Board meetings, advising on Open Meetings Law and Public Records Law, representing and negotiating on behalf of the Board, reviewing Board decisions and contracts, and providing training to the Board. Interested firms must be licensed to practice in North Carolina, have demonstrated experience in local government law with a preference in Board of Education representation, and have at least 2 years of experience in Board of Education representation and Robert's Rules. Proposals are due by 2:00 PM on July 8, 2024, and the contract will be awarded at the Board meeting on July 22, 2024, with a term from August 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, with the possibility of a 3-year extension.

The RFP encourages participation from historically underutilized businesses, such as those owned by minorities, women, and the disabled. Sampson County Schools may consider negotiating a monthly retainer agreement to help predict legal expenses. The value of the contract is not specified, but the RFP outlines the required fee structure, which includes a detailed breakdown of services, hourly rates for partners, associates, and paralegals, and a prohibition on charging for administrative support.