Request by the County Attorney for approval of an Order Authorizing Execution of an Agreement for Professional Services with Olson & Olson LLP in connection with Demetria Brooks, Individually and as Sister and Personal Representative of the Estate of Roderick Brooks, Deceased, et al v. Harris County Sheriff’s Office, et al.; Civil Action No. 4:22-cv-0322; In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas; CAO File No. 23ADT0015. | Community Exchange
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Request by the County Attorney for approval of an Order Authorizing Execution of an Agreement for Professional Services with Olson & Olson LLP in connection with Demetria Brooks, Individually and as Sister and Personal Representative of the Estate of Roderick Brooks, Deceased, et al v. Harris County Sheriff’s Office, et al.; Civil Action No. 4:22-cv-0322; In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas; CAO File No. 23ADT0015.
Harris County seeks to hire outside counsel to defend a federal civil rights lawsuit over the 2022 death of Roderick Brooks during an HCSO incident.
This Harris County Commissioners Court agenda item, scheduled for a vote on July 9, 2026, asks the court to approve hiring Olson & Olson LLP as outside legal counsel. The firm would defend Harris County in a federal civil rights lawsuit filed in 2022 by the family of Roderick Brooks, who died after being shot in the back of the neck by an HCSO sergeant during a foot chase following a shoplifting call. The sergeant was later indicted on first-degree felony murder charges.
Harris County is deciding whether to hire outside lawyers to defend a federal lawsuit against the Sheriff's Office. Legal fees and any settlement would be paid with public funds, which affects the county budget.
