Williamson County commissioners look to hire law firm to represent county sheriff's office

The Williamson County Commissioners Court will vote Nov. 19 on the hiring of law firm Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C. to provide legal representation to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, according to the agenda.

The firm will provide counsel on general employment law matters and workplace training, the agenda said.

Sheila Gladstone will be the main attorney in charge of representation with attorneys Emily Linn and Sarah Glaser participating when necessary, according to the engagement letter attached to the item. Gladstone has a rate of $310 per hour, Linn has a current rate of $230 per hour, and Glaser has a current rate of $275 per hour, the letter said. Additional fees may be billed for paralegal services at $120 per hour, it said.

WCSO Sheriff Robert Chody has faced back lash on his handling of now resigned Commander Steve Deaton. Deaton was accused of several instances of inappropriate behavior, including challenging deputies in a meeting to have sex with a female “Live PD” producer and posting graphic and racist images on Facebook.

All court members publicly condemned Deaton’s actions and words and called for him to be fired. Chody refused to fire Deaton citing vague social media policies.

Deaton resigned in September.

Since the incident, the court canceled its contract with A&E's "Live PD", a show that follows law-enforcement officers live in the course of their nighttime patrols.

WCSO has also faced additional complaints of racism and lack of integrity in its academy training where a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement investigation and report found the office to be at fault in both instances.

Two lawsuits regarding the WCSO appeared on the executive session agenda for the court's Nov. 5 meeting.

The item is part of the consent portion of the Nov. 19 agenda.

Find the full engagement letter here.