Legislation Details

File #: 25-5636    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Discussion Item Status: Passed
File created: 9/2/2025 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 9/18/2025 Final action: 9/18/2025
Title: Request for discussion and possible action of individual judges for outside counsel representing their interests as elected judges in the O'Donnell v Harris County litigation in response to the AG filing of a Motion to Intervene.
Primary Department: County Courts
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Ed Wells

Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA

Type of Request: Discussion Item

Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A

MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request

Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item

Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for discussion and possible action of individual judges for outside counsel representing their interests as elected judges in the O'Donnell v Harris County litigation in response to the AG filing of a Motion to Intervene.
end

Background and Discussion:
Four County Criminal Court at Law Judges; Hon. Paula Goodhart, Hon. Leslie Johnson, Hon. Jessica Padilla, and Hon. Linda Garcia respectfully request outside counsel on their behalf to represent their interests and position in the pending O'Donnell v Harris County litigation. The County Attorney's Office notified these judges earlier that the County Attorney's Office would not represent these judges in this matter. With the filing of the AG's Motion, other O'Donnell counsel have communicated directly with the requesting judges who remain unrepresented in the matter.

Expected Impact:





Alternative Options:
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: A: Reduce violent crime across the County.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): A4: Improve safety through targeted pursuit of violent crime suspects.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilien...

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