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Item P12 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: February 20. 2008 - KL Division County Attorney - Bulk Item: Yes x No - Staff Contact Person: Bob Shillinger, #3470 AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of amendment to legal services agreement with the firm of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker to reflect new hourly rates and additional time keepers and authorization for staff to execute. ITEM BACKGROUND: The County retained Paul Hastings in 2005 to represent it in the matter of Collins v. Monroe County. By mutual agreement, Paul Hastings later took on representation of the County in Galleon Bay Corp. v. Monroe County and Emmert v. Monroe County. The proposed amendment reflects Paul, Hastings' annual rate increases. The primary attorney assigned to work on the County's cases is Derek Howard whose rate will increase to $400 per hour effective February 1, 2008. The amendment also adds various personnel as additional time keepers. The additional partners are needed because of Bob Freilich's departure from the firm. Since the posture of each case differs from ..." year to year, it is impossible to base a projected cost upon the experience in prior years. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: Board approved contract with firm in January 2007. On 12/1912007, the BOCC tabled this item (Q-8) so staff could negotiate a better rate. CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: Increased hourly rates. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval. TOTAL COST: to be determined BUDGETED: Yes xx No - COST TO COUNTY: TBD SOURCE OF FUNDS: non ad valorem REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes - No~ AMOUNT PER MONTH_ Year - APPROVED BY: County Atty ~ Ol\.1BlPurchasing _ Risk Management _ DOCUMENTATION: Included X Not Required_ DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM # MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA AGREEMENT NUMBER: STANDARD LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (LITIGATION) EXHIBIT A Litigation Identification: ColJim, et al v. Monroe COllll(:y, CAM -04- 379 Helen & Gregor Emmert v. Monroe COllll'01, 2002-CA-520-p Galleoll Bqy v. MOIlroe COfltl'01, CAK-02-595 References: 3.2: Limitations to Scope of Representation: County Attorney's office shall serve as co-counsel. 3.3: Term of Agreement and Representation: Paul Hastings shall represent the County in these matters as long as the County shall desire and consistent with the firm's ethical obligations. .-- 3.4: County's Expectations and Goals: Prompt, efficient, competent representation as lead counsel in Galleon Bqy and Emmert, and co-counsel in Collins. 4.: Attorneys' Hourly Fee Rate: The table below shows hourly fee rates in effect through December 31,2008, with the understanding that the parties shall negotiate mutually acceptable rates for the period thereafter should the County's engagement of the firm continue. Professional Rate Derek Howard $315 ~ 1~O6 pJl { Partner, Los An eles $675 Partner, Los An eles $695 Partner, Los An eIes $735 Noah Perch-Ahem unior Associate, Washin on D.C. $375 eff Allmon unior Associate, Washin on D.C. $375 $260 $150 4.3. Discounts to Other Clients: The County expressly acknowledges that, with the exception of Derek Howard, who the firm represents is charged at no less hourly rate, other personnel identified above may have lower hourly billing rates for other clients of the firm. Those rates are due to those other clients assigning a greater volume of work to the firm. LEGAL_US_E # 76318566.2 4.4: Approved Additional Time Keepers; 8.1: Time-keeper Changes: With respect to the Los Angeles-resident partners identified in the table in item 4.3, one or more (depending on availability and circumstances) will supervise Derek Howard's work on an as needed basis and consistent with the fInn's professional obligation to supervise associate work. Should such supervision require greater than five (5) hours of services in any given calendar month, Mr. Howard shall telephonically notify Mr. Schillinger of such need during the month it is needed. Provided their hourly rates are no greater than the rates shown for the unnamed "Litigation Paralegal" and for Ms. Polk on the table provided in item 4.3, above, the County expressly authorizes Derek Howard to call upon the services of paralegals or case assistants in the firm's Washington office whose names do not appear on the table provided in item 4.3, and no further approval shall be needed for his use of such time keepers. 804: County Point of Contact: Robert B. Shillinger Assistant County Attorney P.O. Box 1026 Key West, FL 33041-1026 ..." (305) 292-3470 (305) 292-3516 (fax) shillinger - bo b@monroecounty-fl.gov Attorney County Representative Date: Date: LEGAL us E # 76318566.2 2 Page 1 of 1 Shimnger~Bob ,~~~_~~_,__-----,--L---->-~~~~~~' "~.~"~,..oo~~_~o~_~~,.,_.._o~.~.o_o~_,_~.,_,_~o~~~~~ '_~~__~~"T_"C From: Howard, Derek V. [derekhoward@paulhastings.com] Sent: Monday, January 14,20085:01 PM To: Shillinger-Bob Subject: Confirmation of Rate Change Bob, This message confirms that Paul Hastings LLP has agreed to amend the proposed legal services agreement with the County by changing my hourly rate from $420 to $400. Derek Derek V. Howard, Associate Attorney I Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP I 875 15th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005 I direct: 202 551 1842 I main: 202 551 1700 I direct fax: 202 551 0242 I derekhoward@paulhastings.com I www.paulhastings.com ..." ********************************************************* IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: As required by U.S. Treasury Regulations governing tax practice, you are hereby advised that any written tax advice contained herein was not written or intended to be used (and cannot be used) by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. ********************************************************* This message is sent by a law firm and may contain information that is privileged or confidential. If you received this transmission in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete the message and any attachments. For additional information, please visit our website at www.paulhastings.com. 2/13/2008 MONROECOUNTY,FLOIDDA AGREEMENT NUMBER: STANDARD LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (LITIGATION) EXHIBIT A Utigation Identification: Collins, et aL v. Monroe Cotmty, CAM-04-379 Helen & Gregor Emmert v. Monroe County, 2002-CA-520-p Galleon BC!)' v. Monroe eotmf), CAK-02-595 References: 3.2: Umitations to Scope of Representation: County Attorney's office shall serve as co-counsel. 3.3: Term of Agreement and Representation: Paul Hastings shall represent the County in these matters as long as the County shall desire and consistent with the firm's ethical obligations. 3.4: County's Expectations and Goals: Prompt, efficient, competent representation as lead counsel in Galleon BC!)' and Emmert, and co-counsel in Colli/Is. 4.: Attorneys' Hourly Fee Rate: The table below shows hourly fee rates in effect through December 31, 2008, with the understanding that the parties shall negotiate mutually acceptable rates for the period thereafter should the County's engagement of the firm continue. Professional Rate Derek Howard $315 $420 Partner, Los An eles $675 Partner, Los An eles $695 Partner, Los An eles $735 Noah Perch-Ahem unior Associate, Wash in $375 eff Allmon unior Associate, Washin $375 $260 $150 4.3. Discounts to Other Clients: The County expressly acknowledges that, with the exception of Derek Howard, who the firm represents is charged at no less hourly rate, other personnel identified above may have lower hourly billing rates for other clients of the firm. Those rates are due to those other clients assigning a greater volume of work to the firm. LEGAL_US_E # 76318566.2 4.4: Approved Additional Time Keepers; 8.1: Time-keeper Changes: With respect to the Los Angeles-resident partners identified in the table in item 4.3, one or more (depending on availability and circumstances) will supervise Derek Howard's work on an as needed basis and consistent with the firm's professional obligation to supervise associate work. Should such supervision require greater than five (5) hours of services in any given calendar month, 1'v1r. Howard shall telephonically notify 1'v1r. Schillinger of such need during the month it is needed. Provided their hourly rates are no greater than the rates shown for the unnamed "Litigation Paralegal" and for Ms. Polk on the table provided in item 4.3, above, the County expressly authorizes Derek Howard to call upon the services of paralegals or case assistants in the firm's Washington office whose names do not appear on the table provided in item 4.3, and no further approval shall be needed for his use of such time keepers. 8.4: County Point of Contact: Robert B. Shillinger Assistant County Attorney P.O. Box 1026 Key West, FL 33041-1026 (305) 292-3470 (305) 292-3516 (fax) shillinger-bob@monroecounty-fl..gov Attorney County Representative Date: Date: LEGAL_US_E # 76318566.2 2