FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 27, 2023
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Bryan Wardell Named Pitt County Attorney
Pitt County Government appointment effective August 7, 2023
Contributed photo
PITT COUNTY, N.C. – The Board of County Commissioners appointed Bryan Wardell to serve as the Pitt County Attorney during their June 26, 2023 meeting. The appointment is effective August 7, 2023. He succeeds Jordan Smith, who was recently named New Hanover County Attorney.
Mr. Wardell has been employed by Durham County since 2011 serving as Senior Assistant County Attorney. There, he provided advice, counsel and representation to the Health Director and Board of Health, the Tax Administrator, Planning Department, Criminal Justice Resource Center, General Services Department, the Sheriff and the Engineering Department. During his tenure in Durham County, he was lead counsel on complex litigation across a broad spectrum of practice areas.
Mr. Wardell received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in Ithaca New York in 1987. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was in the dual JD/MPH program and received his Juris Doctor and Master of Public Health degrees from the University’s School of Law and School of Public Health respectively in 1993.
“I look forward to welcoming Bryan to the County’s Senior Leadership Team. Bryan’s strong educational background and relevant legal experience provide him with the knowledge and expertise to be an outstanding County Attorney for Pitt,” says Janis Gallagher, County Manager.
The Pitt County Attorney serves as the chief counsel on all legal matters affecting Pitt County Government. The Pitt County Attorney provides legal counsel and representation for all County departments and agencies, anticipates legal problems or risks for all matters involving the County and makes recommendations to County Manager and Board of County Commissioners regarding legal policies, procedures and actions.
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When asked about his appointment, Mr. Wardell states, “I would like to thank the Board for their faith and confidence in me to continue the good and sound work of the County. I look forward to a long, fruitful and collaborative relationship.”
Mr. Wardell is admitted to practice before all Courts in North Carolina, New York, the United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit and the United States District Courts, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina, and has authored manuscript material and lectured for continuing legal education seminars for members of the North Carolina and South Carolina bar associations as well as the U.N.C. School of Government. Mr. Wardell is married to Erika Wardell and has three children.
For more information, please contact the Public Information Office at 252-902-2955.
The Mission of Pitt County Government is to enhance the health, safety, and well-being of our community by advocating for and providing quality services in a friendly and cost-effective manner. Learn more: www.PittCountyNC.gov
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Media Contact:
Dawn C. Jones
Director, Public Information & Media Relations Past Releases:
dawn.jones@pittcountync.gov | (252) 902-2955 www.PittCountyNC.gov/PIO