As a member of the Adams County Bar Association, the Mississippi Bar Association, the various Federal Bar Associations, I feel the need to vouch for a fellow lawyer whose character and competence as a lawyer have been maligned and his legal judgment questioned. As the Protestant German Pastor Martin Niemoller said, “ … they came for the Jews, and I didn’t object — for I wasn’t a Jew; then they came for me — and there was no one left to object.” When a member of the bar is unfairly attacked, I feel I must speak out. In my career as a civil rights attorney, I have always spoken out and represented people when it was not popular.

Attorney Everett Sanders was recently hired as the attorney for the City of Natchez, a position he held several years back. Attorney Sanders has a legal career that spans over 40 years. He has been excoriated by the local media and local leaders because they could not have their political way. A vote was taken at the first meeting, and he was appointed. I respect the rule of law, I respect the democratic process, I may not always agree with the decisions of duly elected officials, but I abide by them. All duly elected officials have the right to vote their conscience. To characterize his appointment as racially motivated is reckless and does damage to race relations in this town.

I know Everett Sanders to be a highly skilled and competent attorney, whom I have consulted with on many cases involving municipal law, school board law and county government law. The matter which he is being criticized about has not even been fully litigated, and the City of Natchez has not paid any judgment as a result of the case. The matter is still pending in court. Therefore, I ask the community, do not rush to judgment as to what legally has occurred or may occur.

 

Deborah McDonald is a Natchez attorney.