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TARRANT COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS COURT COMMUNICATION
SUBJECT:
Consideration and Possible Action to Approve a Contract of Legal Representation between Tarrant County and First Liberty Institute Regarding the Ten Commandments Display Outside of the 1895 Tarrant County Courthouse
COMMISSIONERS COURT ACTION REQUESTED
It is requested that the Commissioners Court consider and possibly take action to approve a Contract of Legal Representation between Tarrant County and First Liberty Institute (FLI) for the purpose of providing legal representation, advice, counsel, and investigation of a received legal threat concerning the Ten Commandments display outside of the 1895 Tarrant County Courthouse.
BACKGROUND
On April 15, 2025, the Commissioners Court, through Court Order #145107, accepted a donation of a Ten Commandments monument from the American History & Heritage Foundation, Inc.
The Ten Commandments monument was subsequently installed on the lawn outside of the 1895 Tarrant County Courthouse and unveiled for public display on January 16, 2026. Following the public unveiling of the monument, legal counsel for the Freedom From Religion Foundation has sent correspondence to Tarrant County claiming the monument’s display is unconstitutional and requesting a response. FLI has offered to provide legal representation to Tarrant County, as well as its officials and employees in their official capacity, in responding to this correspondence and any subsequent litigation that may arise from the display of the Ten Commandments monument at no cost.
With approval of this contract of legal representation, FLI will serve as outside counsel to Tarrant County for this specific legal matter.
The District Attorney’s Office has approved this contract as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
FLI is providing these legal services on a pro bono basis, there is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
PASSED AND APPROVED on March 10, 2026.
COUNTY OF TARRANT
STATE OF TEXAS
By: Separate Electronic Signature Page
Tim O’Hare
County Judge
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________
District Attorney’s Office*
*By law, the District Attorney’s Office may only approve contracts for its clients. We reviewed this document as to form from our client’s legal perspective. Other parties may not rely on this approval. Instead, those parties should seek contract review from independent counsel.
Attachments
Tarrant County - Engagement Ltr.pdf