Pender County attorney Trey Thurman resigns; commissioners appoint interim outside counsel

Trey Thurman, Pender County's longtime county attorney, told the Board of Commissioners at the April 20 meeting that he is tendering his resignation after nearly three decades serving the county. "I am tendering my resignation to the board as county attorney," Thurman told commissioners, thanking the board for the opportunity to serve and noting notable cases during his tenure.

Following Thurman's announcement, commissioners discussed interim coverage. The board voted to add an item to the agenda under a rule-waiver and then voted to retain an interim law firm to represent the board during the transition. The firm named during the meeting was described publicly as Harzo Law Firm (interim appointment recorded on the agenda as item 9.9). The motion to appoint interim counsel passed on a split voice vote after discussion.

At the meeting a few commissioners and one speaker expressed concern about the timing and method of the interim hire — arguing some colleagues and the public should have been given advance notice before the board added and approved the item. Commissioners who supported the retention said the move was necessary to ensure continuous legal coverage for county business while leadership finalizes a permanent appointment.

County staff said the interim counsel would coordinate with in-house staff attorney Quinton Morgan and others to maintain continuity across pending matters and to advise the board on a range of legal issues.

Next steps: Thurman said he would continue to work with staff during the transition. Staff and the interim firm are to coordinate a handoff and ensure that ongoing litigation and routine counsel functions remain covered until the board makes a permanent appointment.

Provenance: Thurman's resignation announcement and the board's interim-law-firm actions appear in the meeting's opening and later agenda items (announcement SEG 034–085; agenda addition and appointment motion and approval SEG 157–191 and item 9.9 SEG 2048–2064).