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Sedona PSPRS board hires outside counsel for sergeant’s accidental disability retirement application
Summary
The Sedona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System local board unanimously approved hiring attorney Nicholas J. Cornelius to represent the board during Sergeant Nathan Dorfman’s accidental disability retirement application, after staff presented the candidate’s resume, conflicts check and a sample contract.
The Sedona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System local board unanimously approved hiring outside counsel to represent the board in Sergeant Nathan Dorfman’s accidental disability retirement application.
Brenda Holmes, who presented the candidate materials to the board, said the board conducted an exhaustive search for counsel and was referred to Nicholas (Nick) J. Cornelius by the Wickenburg PSPRS board. Holmes said Cornelius has represented other local PSPRS boards, including Prescott Valley, the City of Prescott and Yavapai County, and that she included his resume and a sample contract in the meeting packet. "We turned over rocks to find someone who is willing to step in for one case," Holmes said, noting she received many non‑responses before locating the candidate.
Board members discussed logistics, noting they could not question the attorney about the case until a contract is in place. Holmes said she conducted a conflicts check and that Cornelius reported no conflicts. The board discussed timing and the attorney’s availability; Holmes said she would coordinate with the city attorney and procurement to generate and present a contract, then contact Cornelius to schedule an initial meeting, likely by Zoom or Teams to avoid travel and lodging costs.
A board member moved to approve the Law Offices of Nicholas J. Cornelius, PLLC, as the Sedona PSPRS local board attorney for the duration of Sergeant Nathan Dorfman’s accidental disability retirement application; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
Holmes said that if a conflict is discovered after approval, the board would address it at that time. She also flagged the need to arrange an independent medical exam (IME) and said she is researching IME appointment services other boards use; the board will ask the new attorney for guidance on IME procedures and specialists.
The board approved the appointment and instructed staff to proceed with contract generation and next‑step scheduling.
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
