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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 ContractfN6 ALLEN NORTON & BLUE >>wL assooA-r.oP, 324 South Hyde Park Avenue, Hyde Park Plaza, Suite 225, TAmPA, FL 336064127 Telephone 813-251-1210 - Facsimile 813-253-2006 November 29, 2018 Sent By E-mail Only(ocarlisle(cb.citvofsebastian.ora) Paul E. Carlisle, City Manager City of Sebastian 1225 Main Street Sebastian, Florida 32958 Re: City of Sebastian — General Matters — Representation (ANB File No. 1(T)) Dear Paul: It was a pleasure talking with you and your team earlier today about our firm possibly assisting with the pending disciplinary grievance. As discussed, we would be delighted to assist the City. In this letter, I've spelled out in more detail our background and our current rates. I've also included our ftrm's standard representation agreement as an attachment for review. Although I know you are already familiar with our firm; by way of further introduction I thought I would provide you with a little more background. Allen, Norton & Blue was established in 1969 and has practiced exclusively in the area of labor and employment law representing employer interests since that time. Through this focus, we remain current and up-to-date on all labor and employment issues that affect our clients. We currently have approximately 30 attorneys at offices in Orlando, Tampa, Coral Gables and Tallahassee. We represent numerous public sector clients, as well as serving as panel counsel for a number of insurance companies, defending their policyholders with respect to employment lawsuits. Our first also serves as the labor and employment counsel for the State of Florida and the Governor's Office, most of the Sheriffs offices throughout the state, and numerous cities and counties. Some of the public entities we work with in your area include the Indian River Sheriffs Office, Indian River County, Indian River School Board, St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office, St. Lucie County, Brevard County School Board, the Town of Indian River Shores, the City of West Melbourne, the City of Palm Bay, Martin County, Okeechobee County, Osceola County, in addition to many more. The firm has an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell, which is the highest rating given. In addition, nearly all of the partners in the firm, me included, are certified by the Florida Bar as specialists in the area of labor and employment law. The firm is also a member of the Worklaw Network, a nationwide association of management -oriented labor and employment law firms. Our Affiliate of Worklaw� Network: The Nationwide Network of Management Labor and Employment Law Firms November 29, 2018 Page 2 firm's participation in the Worklaw Network provides us with access to information, expertise and contacts throughout every state in country regarding all aspects of labor and employment law. For further general information on our firm, and the specific attorneys within each of our four offices throughout the state of Florida, please visit our fimi's website and also my profile on the firm's website. Our current billing rates for professional services rendered are $230.00 per hour for services performed by attorneys and $100 per hour for any services performed by a paralegal. Our billing practice is to invoice clients on a monthly basis based on the professional services we have rendered each month at the client's request, if any. Invoices would also include any expenses incurred on the client's behalf. Our minimum billing increment for services performed is .30 hours. The City only incurs charges for services that you request or direct that we perform. Of course, the City would retain the right to discharge us at any time and for any reason, subject to payment for any services rendered and expenses incurred through the date of discharge. Should you have any further inquiries concerning our firm, our firm's practice or our attorneys, please feel free to contact me at the Tampa office number listed above, or via e-mail at bkoi i c anblaw.com. If you wish to retain our firm on behalf of your practice, and are agreeable to our rates and the terms of the attached standard fee agreement addendum, please sign and date in the space provided below, returning a copy to me at our firm's Tampa office. Sincerely, s/ Brian Koji Brian Koji Enclosure: Standard Fee Agreement Addendum I agree with the terms and conditions set forth in this letter and the attached Standard Fee Agreement Addendum, Dated: �'�l R THE CITY ALLEN, NORTON & BLUE, P.A. PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION ALLEN, NORTON & BLUE, P.A., PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION STANDARD FEE AGREEMENT ADDENDUM This Standard Fee Agreement Addendum (the "Addendum") sets forth the terms and conditions upon which Allen, Norton & Blue, Professional Association (the "Firm") will provide legal services to a client and bill for those services. This Addendum accompanies an Engagement Letter ("Engagement Letter") addressed to a client who has engaged this law firm to represent it. This Addendum is an integral part of the Engagement Letter and together with the Engagement Letter is a contract between the Firm and the client identified in the Engagement Letter (jointly, severally, and collectively, the "Client"). 1. Professional Undertakine: The attorney signing the Engagement Letter has primary responsibility for the Client's file and may, in his or her sole discretion, utilize other attorneys and legal assistants in the Firm who can accomplish the work. If at any time the Client has any questions, concerns, or criticisms concerning the utilization of other attorneys or legal assistants, or any other matters, the Client should contact such attorney. 2. Fees and Billine: Statements are rendered monthly and are due upon receipt. Many factors are taken into account in billing for services rendered. The attorney in charge is responsible for reviewing and approving all bills for services rendered. The principal factor is the Firm's schedule of hourly rates, and most invoices for services are the product of the hours worked multiplied by the Firm's hourly rates then in effect at the time the work is performed. Hourly rates for attorneys and other members of the Firm's professional staff are based on their years of experience, specialization in training and practice, and level of professional attainment. This rate schedule is adjusted by 5% on an annual basis. 3. Costs: Hourly rates do not include costs such as travel, lodging, meals, telephone calls, facsimile charges, express or other delivery charges, deposition transcripts, filing and recording costs, title searches, expert consultants (such as engineers, accountants, actuaries, etc.), process service, photocopying, on-line legal research and, if needed, staff overtime. These costs and advances will be billed in addition to fees. The Firm will not, however, engage the services of expert consultants without the prior agreement of the Client. 4. Security for Fees and Costs: Florida law provides the Firm with the right to impose a lien upon documents, money and other intangibles and materials coming into its possession to secure the payment of its fees and expenses, which right is called a retaining lien in transactions and a charging lien in litigation. The Firm may assert such lien rights in appropriate circumstances. 5. Choice of Law and Forum Selection: The Engagement Letter and this Addendum shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Florida. Inasmuch as the Firm's offices are located in Miami -Dade, Leon, Orange & Hillsborough Counties, Florida, the Client agrees that venue for any litigation involving the Engagement Letter, this Addendum, or the representation of Client shall be exclusively located in one of the four counties named. 6. Termination: Although the Client has the right to terminate the Finn's representation at any time, the provisions of the Engagement Letter and this Addendum shall continue to apply after such termination. The Firm also has the right to terminate representation of the Client for any reason, subject only to the Rules of Professional Conduct, and provided that the Finn will give the Client reasonable notice of such termination, in order that the Client may have the opportunity to arrange other representation.