A spat between Louisville’s Ethics Commission and the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office over who gets to hire the commission’s lawyer has ended up in court.

The Ethics Commission filed suit against Louisville Metro Thursday, asking a judge for a restraining order against the city. At issue is whether the Ethics Commission can choose its own legal counsel.

The commission’s lawyer provides guidance to elected officials on potential conflicts of interest and helps the commission determine whether officials have violated local ethics law. The attorney also helps the board conduct ethics trials, like the high-profile case involving a sitting Metro Council member two years ago.

Ethics Commission Chair Craig Dilger said allowing Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell to decide who its legal

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