What's Happening?
Guilford County is planning to expand its legal department by hiring four additional attorneys and increasing its budget by over $1 million. This decision comes as the county faces rising costs for outside legal services. Recently, the Guilford County Board
of Commissioners approved a contract amendment to increase spending on an outside law firm, Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham LLP, from $185,250 to $222,250. This firm has been providing interim county attorney services during a transition period following the departure of the former County Attorney Andrea Leslie-Fite. The new County Attorney, Carolyn Thompson, took over in February 2026. The county manager, Victor Isler, has proposed a budget for the fiscal year 2026-2027 that would increase the legal department's budget from $5.24 million to $6.32 million, allowing for the addition of four new deputy county attorney positions.
Why It's Important?
The expansion of Guilford County's legal department is significant as it aims to reduce reliance on costly outside legal services. The county has already spent $866,515 on outside legal work in the current fiscal year, surpassing the $652,640 spent in the previous year. By hiring more in-house attorneys, the county expects to handle more legal matters internally, potentially saving money in the long run. The new positions will focus on areas typically managed by outside counsel, such as workers' compensation litigation, federal civil litigation, and employment law. This move reflects a strategic shift towards more efficient resource management and cost reduction in public administration.
What's Next?
If the proposed budget is approved, Guilford County's legal department will grow from 32 to 36 full-time positions, with the number of attorneys increasing from 24 to 28. The county anticipates that this expansion will lead to a decrease in operating expenses by reducing the need for third-party legal services. The transition work with the interim attorney is expected to conclude by July 2026, further solidifying the department's internal capabilities. The county will continue to monitor its legal expenditures and adjust its strategies to ensure fiscal responsibility and effective legal representation.
