HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegal AdviceVanDeVoorde 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: infoCuhandevoordelaw.com Fax: (772) 388-5514
Cynthia VanDeVoorde Hall`
Kimberly A. Jones
Auomeys at Law
'Licensed in Florida, Georgia &before
the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
July 5, 2017
VIA EMAIL
Joe Griffin, City Manager
City of Sebastian
1225 Main Street
Sebastian, FL 32958
jgriffin@cityofsebastian.org
Re: LETTER OF AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES
Dear Mr. Griffin:
Rend G. VanDeVoorde
Mari Parsons
Of Counscl
The purpose of this letter is to set forth and confirm our understanding with 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 on an as -needed basis. This
may include, but is not limited to, advising the City Manager regarding city business as the City
Manager sees fit, and attending City Council meetings and other meetings as directed by you to
answer questions posed by Council members and others on behalf of the City of Sebastian. Upon
request by you, the firm may also provide legal services by directly communicating or negotiating
on behalf of Sebastian. As you know, legal matters are unpredictable in nature, and often
individuals seek definitive answers where it is impossible to provide such assurances.
Furthermore, the best answer to legal questions is reached only after thorough research of statutory
and case law and thorough understanding of all material facts, which is usually not possible in a
situation such as a meeting wherein immediate guidance is sought. By signing this letter, the City
of Sebastian further recognizes that ad-hoc guidance provided under such circumstances has its
limitations, and such answers will only be further researched upon agreement by the both of us.
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 $ 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.
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 expanses 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 next billing month. Continued
non-payment gives us the right to withdraw as your attomey(s).
1 appreciate your expression of confidence in our work, and assure you that we will strive to serve
the City in a professional and cost-effective manner. Your duty is to cooperate fully and to keep us
advised of current happenings related to any matters on which the City seeks advice. 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.
Very truly yours,
Cynthia V. Hall, on behalf of the firm
ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED ON BEHALF OF CITY OF SEBASTIAN
v
_'2017 BY:
Date Print Name: Joe G iffin
City Manager