Churchill County School District trustees interviewed two finalists for the outside legal counsel position during a special session following their July 21 regular meeting, selecting Neil Rombardo of Rombardo Legal Services LLC for the position.
The interviews are part of the district's search to replace longtime legal counsel Sharla Hales, who is retiring after more than two decades. Hales explained that, in addition to receiving packets from interviewees Mark Feest and Neil Rombardo, the district received two other proposals. Hales said one prospective applicant submitted only a résumé before the deadline, while another law firm submitted a proposal after the deadline. Neither submission met the district's requirements nor was considered for the interviews.
Rombardo, who was selected by the board, wrote in his proposal to the board of trustees that after 27 years of serving public entities in Northern Nevada, he established Rombardo Legal Services LLC to provide dedicated, highly specialized general counsel services to select public and educational agencies.
Rombardo wrote that his firm operates as a lean, agile solo legal practice. "While I am the sole practicing attorney and employee of the firm, the firm maintains a strategic office-sharing arrangement with an established business entity in Reno."
He further explained that his operational framework provides the firm with comprehensive, built-in professional, paraprofessional, and administrative support. "As a direct result, Churchill County School District is guaranteed continuous accessibility, seamless document management, and an immediate point of contact during standard business hours, blending the personalized attention of a solo practitioner with the infrastructure of a traditional office."
Regarding his experience, Rombardo listed his time as chief general counsel for the Washoe County School District, writing, "I have extensive experience in guiding public bodies through the complexities of Nevada's Open Meeting Law (OML), public records acts, policy developments, and parliamentary procedures."
Additionally, Rombardo shared his experience in labor relations and employment law, student rights and special education, and contracts and risk management. "I also believe that proactive legal advice mitigates risk management for public bodies," wrote Rombardo.
In closing, he wrote, "I am fully prepared to dedicate my extensive public sector experience to the protection and advancement of the Churchill County School District."
Mark Feest, who was also interviewed, is retiring as chief executive officer and general manager of CC Communications after 13 years. He previously served as general counsel for CC Communications and as senior civil deputy district attorney for Churchill County. In his proposal, Feest wrote, "I advised county commissioners, elected officials, boards, commissions, and department directors on a broad range of public law issues."
"For more than twenty years, I have served Nevada public entities in positions requiring sound legal judgment, practical problem solving, and unwavering commitment to public service." He explained that his career had afforded him the opportunity to view public law from two complementary perspectives—first as legal counsel to governmental agencies and elected officials, and later as the chief executive officer of a public enterprise.
Feest also noted that he has remained actively engaged in the legal analysis underlying virtually every significant organizational decision. "My interest in Nevada K-12 education law has grown considerably in recent years. I have undertaken extensive study of the statutes, regulations, administrative guidance, constitutional principles, and judicial decisions governing Nevada public schools, including board governance, student discipline, special education, employment matters, public finance, public records, procurement, ethics, and Open Meeting Law."
Reference letters for Feest included County Commissioner Matt Hyde, Fallon City Councilwoman Kelly Frost, and Dr. Stuart Richardson, among others.
Trustee Julie Guerrero-Goetsch disclosed that her daughter is engaged to the son of one of the finalists. She said she determined the relationship did not present a disqualifying conflict of interest and participated in both the interviews and the vote on the appointment.
Trustees asked each candidate about legal experience, public agency representation, board governance, and their approach to advising a Nevada school district.
Board members noted that while Rombardo's proposal was slightly more expensive, his extensive experience would allow the district to work more efficiently and help avoid many of the common issues encountered by less experienced counsel. Board President Gregg Malkovich said that experience like this doesn’t come around very often and that having someone with Rombardo’s experience will help the district avoid common mistakes that can occur with a change of counsel
The board of trustees set a special meeting for July 30 to approve the selection. At press time, the official appointment and acceptance of Rombardo's letter of engagement were pending board approval.
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