The Jackson City Council could vote to hire a second law firm today to defend Mayor Frank Melton in two lawsuits.
The Phelps Dunbar firm, which the council hired in August to represent the mayor and city, recommended the council now hire Coxwell & Associates at $185 per hour, plus additional costs and expenses, to defend Melton in cases involving a local resident and a Ridgeway Street duplex.
Phelps Dunbar already was representing the mayor in those cases and two others involving the Upper Level Bar & Grill and A1-Pallet.
Council members at Monday’s work session had little discussion on the matter. However, they said they expected a closed-door discussion of the matter.