Stokes v. Oconee shapes up as a summer trial

A pending, seven-year-old lawsuit against Oconee County is now scheduled as a civil court trial to start Monday, July 15 at the county courthouse.  The plaintiff is David Stokes, former county building official.  In April, a judge rejected a defense motion to dismiss Stokes’ challenge of the county’s decision to remove him in 2017.  It’s believed the last legal ground remaining is the allegation of wrongful termination.  Judge McIntosh is scheduled to preside the week of July 15.  Lawyers representing plaintiff Stokes are listed as Joseph Clay Hopkins and William E. Hopkins Jr.  On the defense side, lawyers listed are Roberta Barton, Stephanie Holmes Burton, Stacey Todd Coffee, and James Logan Jr.