April 3, 2024

PENSACOLA, FL - We are thrilled to share a momentous legal triumph achieved by members of our team at McDonald Fleming, led by Partners Edward P. Fleming and Aaron T. McCurdy, alongside Legal Assistant Catherine Dela Cruz. Together, we represented the Clerk of Court in a landmark case that has garnered significant attention and resulted in a crucial ruling against unlawful compensation for Escambia County Commissioners.

In a recent decision by Okaloosa County Circuit Court Judge William Stone, Escambia County's local option retirement plan for county commissioners was deemed unlawful compensation. This ruling affirms the diligent efforts of our trial team and underscores our unwavering commitment to upholding justice and accountability within our community.

At the core of this legal battle was the challenge to an attempted $57,000 per year pay raise sought by the Commissioners. With meticulous legal strategy and tireless dedication, our trial team successfully argued against this unjustifiable proposal, ultimately securing a favorable outcome for our community.

We commend the steadfast leadership of Partners Edward P. Fleming and Aaron T. McCurdy, whose legal acumen and dedication to this case were instrumental in achieving this victory. Additionally, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Legal Assistant Catherine Dela Cruz for her invaluable contributions throughout every stage of the litigation process.

In a statement following the ruling, Escambia County Clerk and Comptroller Pam Childers expressed her gratitude for the court's decision, affirming her role as a watchdog of taxpayer dollars. Childers emphasized the importance of holding elected officials accountable and preventing the misuse of public funds.

As a firm, we take great pride in our role as advocates for justice, and this triumph exemplifies our commitment to serving our clients with excellence and integrity. We remain steadfast in our dedication to upholding the principles of fairness and transparency in every case we undertake.