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County counsel outlines litigation caseload, settlement approach and three possible high-exposure suits
Summary
County Counsel Saint John told commissioners his office is handling roughly 90–100 active matters while flagging several potential high-exposure cases including cellphone-overtime mediation and a serious pedestrian-injury claim tied to park access.
County Counsel Saint John explained the County Council office's personnel and litigation budget lines, and outlined the office's approach to settlements and outside counsel use.
Saint John said roughly 90–100 litigated matters were active in the council office and provided a breakdown: about 60 disciplinary cases, roughly 10 Office of Administrative Law appeals, 66 labor matters and about eight appellate-division cases. He said the office reviews county contracts and provides ongoing internal counsel work.
On settlement exposure, Saint John cautioned that the settlement line is an estimate and can be exceeded depending on case outcomes. He identified three matters of potential significance: a mediation on April 10 over cellphone overtime claims by certain sheriff's officers (a potentially significant dollar exposure); a locally known "microwave" case (not detailed in public comments) that could carry sizeable liability; and a Newark pedestrian case involving a stairway leading to a county park that plaintiffs argue contributed to a serious injury. Saint John said the county's legal position is that the vehicle driver was primarily responsible but acknowledged the county faces a claim.
Saint John also noted 21 suits already filed alleging wrongdoing by corrections or juvenile-detention staff, and Chief of Staff Phil O'Raja clarified that a 2024 statute change expanded the window for some historical claims, with some suits reaching back decades.
The counsel highlighted staffing and funding arrangements: certain attorneys and clerical positions are partially state-funded (e.g., 66% of some welfare-related attorney salaries), and the office recovers substantial sums annually for the county. He said outside-counsel hourly rates have risen and that the county may need to revisit competitive hourly thresholds for specialized firms.
Ending: Commissioners thanked Saint John and emphasized keeping budget questions focused on items that would not jeopardize pending litigation.
