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Board authorizes county counsel to defend wrongful‑death suit, approves Porter Scott retainer
Summary
In closed session the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors authorized the county counsel to defend a wrongful‑death lawsuit arising from a pedestrian crash on a county road and approved a retainer agreement with attorney Carl Fessenden of Porter Scott to represent the county; the vote was 5‑0.
The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors reported Feb. 4 that, in closed session, the board authorized county counsel to defend the county in a wrongful‑death lawsuit brought by Shannon Francis Ramey (Tuolumne County Superior Court case CV66785) and approved tendering the matter to the county’s insurer. The board also approved a retainer agreement with attorney Carl Fessenden of the Porter Scott law firm to represent the county in the matter.
The board’s public report stated the action followed discussion in closed session under the Government Code authority for existing litigation; the motion to approve the defense and execute the retainer was made by Supervisor Kirk, seconded by Supervisor Campbell and adopted by a 5‑0 vote.
The case arises from a pedestrian collision on a county road that the complaint alleges resulted in death. The board’s public report did not disclose legal strategy or confidential deliberations beyond the open statement that the county will be defended and the retainer with Porter Scott was approved.
Board members were briefed in closed session and directed county counsel to proceed under the approved retainer and to coordinate with the county’s insurer. The county will provide further public updates as required by law and as appropriate during the litigation.
