The Town of North Hempstead has issued a request for proposals to “establish a panel of stand-by counsel who are prepared to represent the town in various matters,” according to the document.
The selected firms will work closely with the office of the town attorney, according to the document, issued last month.
It has been four years since the last town request for proposals for outside firms was issued, said Carole Trottere, a town spokeswoman.
The town has been using outside counsel for labor matters, such as discrimination cases and employee arbitrations, less in recent years than in the past, Trottere said.
In 2017 outside counsel fees for the town totaled $63,114.81.
In 2014 outside counsel fees totaled $214,937 and in 2013 they were $617,396.
“Now, we use our labor counsel as more of an adviser to our in-house staff,” Trottere said. “Our lawyers learn more and gain more experience so that they can handle similar matters on their own the next time.”
Outside counsel are charged to professional services, Trottere said. That budget line also pays for other matters such as appraisals, expert witnesses and insurance advisers, Trottere added.
The town currently has 13 outside firms it uses, including the Uniondale-based Harris Beach firm.
Harris Beach was involved in transactions that led to federal charges against former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and former Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, Newsday reported.
Harris Beach is also counsel on litigation involving the Roslyn Country Club and the town, according to Newsday.
Bids on the request for proposals are due by 3 p.m. on Feb. 27.
