HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter of AgreementVanDeVoorde Hall Law, P.L.
Direct all mail to: 1327 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, Florida 32958 • Telephone: (772) 589.4353
754 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay, FL 32907 • Telephone: (321) 345-8622
Email: info@vandevoordela%v.com vandevoordelaw.com Fax: (772) 388-5514
Cynthia VanDeVoorde Hall"
Kimberly A. Jones
Attorneys at Law
'Licensed in Florida, Georgia dr before
the U.S. Patent fit Trademark Office
June 26. 2017
VIA EMAIL
Joe Griffin, City Manager
City of Sebastian
1225 Main Street
Sebastian, FL 32958
jgriffin rf cityofsebastian.org
Re: LETTER OF AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES - ZITZMAN
Dear fir. Griffin:
Rene G. VanDeVoorde
Nlari Parsons
Of Counsel
Thank you for meeting with me earlier today. The purpose of this letter is to set forth and confirm
our understanding.%Zhi respect to the agreement for your payment of attorneys' fees and costs, and
our rendering of legal services on your behalf.
By signing this letter, the City of Sebastian ("Sebastian", or `'you") retains VanDeVoorde Hall
Law, PL ("the firm"), to provide legal advice and represent Sebastian in the Notice of Appeal riled
by Robert Zitzman, Appellant, in the Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Circuit Case
No. 17 -AP -6. VanDeVoorde Hall Law, PL, is not at this time engaged to represent Sebastian in
any other court proceedings. Generally, the firm shall provide advice and guidance to you, and
represent Sebastian before the Circuit Court in this matter; however the ultimate decisions on how
to proceed, including whether to settle this case, rest kith the City of Sebastian. Upon request by
you, the firm may also provide legal services by directly communicating or negotiating on behalf
of Sebastian. You acknowledge that we have made no promises or guarantees regarding the
outcome of your case. Rather, the have discussed with you and you are aware of the
unpredictability of most legal matters.
As we previously discussed, the firm shall bill you for services rendered at the following hourly
rates (which below reflect a discount from the firm's prevailing hourly rates for clients):
Cynthia V. Hall, or other attorney S 200.00/hour
Paralegal Assistant, for paralegal -level work only S 125.00/hour
The reason for the variety of hourly rates and services is so that we can provide the most cost
efficient and thorough services to the client at fees which are competitive with our peers and
reasonable for the client. Paralegal fees are generally charged for preparation of drafts and filings
which can be drafted initially by a trained nonlawyer, and in checking and updating legal
research/case citations, but paralegal work is always reviewed by an attorney. Purely clerical
work, even if done by a trained paralegal, is not billed. Due to the nature of the engagement, no
other attorneys are expected at this time to work on this case. However, we prefer to provide for
that contingency in case, for example, there is a last-minute illness on a hearing date.
You will be billed at the hourly rate for all services rendered, plus billed for fees and costs. This
includes telephone calls (including telephone calls with you or others) and meetings, writing,
dictating and reviewing letters and emails, reviewing or responding to letters or emails, drafting
and responding to pleadings, preparation for court, travel time to and from meetings and court,
hearings, legal and factual research, negotiations, and any other service relating to this matter.
The rates quoted above reflect only the fees for services to be rendered, and there may be
additional charges for out-of-pocket expenses such as witness fees, filing and other court fees,
certified copy fees, service fees, messenger services, photocopying and scanning charges, postage,
courier and commercial delivery service fees, publication fees (if applicable), and any other
necessary expenses in this matter.
The firm will send you itemized bills from time to time. You may also request an itemized
summary of charges at any time. The firm may require that costs and expenses be paid in advance.
All other bills for costs and legal expenses are due upon receipt. If payment is not timely made
upon an unpaid balance. there may be a late charge of one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) per
month upon the balance unpaid as of the last day of the nest billing month. Continued
non-payment gives us the right to withdraw as your attomey(s).
I appreciate your expression of confidence in Our work, and assure you that we will strive to obtain
a resolution of this matter in a professional and cost-effective manner. Your duty is to cooperate
fully and to keep us advised Of Current happenings related to this matter. Please feel free to call or
email me if you have any questions regarding the fee agreement as set forth herein. If not, please
execute the enclosed copy of this letter and return it to my office at your earliest convenience.
ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED ON
2F 1017
Date
Very truly yours,
ka
Cynthia V. Hall, oon'behalf of the firm
BEHALF OF CITY OF SEBASTIAN
BY:
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Print Name: Joe Griffin
City Manager