Durham Board authorizes up to $100,000 for outside counsel in Woods v. Edmonds and adds opioid litigation to closed session

The Durham County Board of County Commissioners met in closed session March 11 to consult with legal counsel under G.S. 143‑318.11(a)(3). The board entered closed session to discuss attorney‑client matters, naming Woods v. Edmonds et al. as one item.

After returning to open session, Vice‑Chair Nimasheena Burns moved and Commissioner Wendy Jacobs seconded an amendment to include the National Opioid Litigation under the attorney‑client privilege discussion. The board then authorized the Interim County Attorney to execute a contract for outside counsel to represent the defendants in Woods v. Edmonds, with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $100,000. Commissioner Brenda Howerton moved the authorization, seconded by Commissioner Wendy Jacobs; the motion carried unanimously.

The board record shows the action was made to retain outside counsel for the identified matter and that the board will proceed consistent with its attorney‑client obligations. The meeting minutes record the board’s unanimous votes on the closed‑session adjournment, the amendment to add the opioid litigation, and the outside‑counsel authorization.