Aberdeen board hires Williams & Bass to defend city in federal lawsuit

At the Aug. 28 special meeting, Alderman Nicholas Holliday moved, seconded by Alderman John Cain, to retain Williams & Bass, PLLC of Jackson, Mississippi, as outside counsel to represent the City of Aberdeen in federal litigation captioned Tom Withers, II v. City of Aberdeen (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Civil Action No. 1:24-CV-218-SA-RP).

The motion recorded terms of engagement including an attorney hourly rate of $300.00; "One-quarter (.25) hourly for legal research, drafting, telephone calls, meetings, correspondence, travel and court appearances; Paralegal or Legal Assistant hourly rate is $100.00," as stated in the meeting text. On a roll-call vote the minutes state that all present voted "Aye." The transcript records no additional debate or public comment on the hire.

"On a roll call vote, all present voted 'Aye'," the minutes say.

The retention authorizes outside counsel to begin representation under the recorded billing terms. The minutes do not provide further detail about budgetary approvals, contract length, or a statutory basis for the engagement; the board did not place any conditions in the recorded motion.