Commissioners plan executive session to decide counsel for Brenda Johnson litigation

Burke County commissioners said they will consider legal representation options in an upcoming executive session related to litigation involving Brenda Johnson.

Staff and commissioners discussed that the county’s insurer had retained attorney Russell Bridal to represent the county earlier in the matter. County attorneys Adam Nelson and Simon Williams were mentioned as internal counsel who could represent the county, but staff and commissioners said Nelson and Williams were leaning toward letting the insurer’s attorney continue. Commissioners also discussed the option of hiring outside counsel and noted workload and interpersonal tensions between the sheriff’s office and the Nelson group as factors in the decision.

No public vote was taken. Commissioners said the matter will be discussed during the executive-session portion of the meeting and that they may decide whether to retain outside counsel, keep the insurer’s attorney on the case, or assign internal counsel. Staff noted there will be associated legal bills and prior deductible payments related to the case.

Commissioners characterized the dispute as moving toward court and said they will return with counsel selection decisions following the executive-session discussion.