Durham County swears in Larissa S. Williamson as county attorney; board authorizes contract

Durham County officials swore in Larissa S. Williamson as the county attorney during the board’s Oct. 14, 2024 meeting, and the board authorized a contract to formalize her service. Judge Josephine Davis administered the oath. Williamson thanked the board and the legal staff and said she looked forward to continuing to work with the Board and the Management Team.

The board had previously met in closed session to discuss personnel matters under G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6). After reconvening to open session, Commissioner Wendy Jacobs moved, and Commissioner Brenda Howerton seconded, a motion authorizing completion of a contract between Durham County and Attorney Larissa S. Williamson to serve as Durham County Attorney; the motion carried unanimously among members present. The board publicly congratulated Williamson and thanked her for committing to lead the county’s legal team.

At the same meeting the board also added and read a resolution honoring Curtis Massey for his service as Interim Durham County Attorney. The proclamation recited Massey’s prior roles in the county attorney’s office and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office and thanked him for his public service and mentorship to other attorneys. Massey thanked the board for the recognition.

The board’s formal contract authorization was recorded in the meeting minutes; the motion and the swearing-in conclude the board’s personnel actions on the county attorney appointment for Oct. 14. No additional contract terms were read into the public record during the open session portion of the meeting.