SUBJECT:
Title
A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Approving an Agreement for Legal Services between the Town and the Law Firm of Hoffmann, Parker, Wilson & Carberry, P.C.
Department
DEPARTMENT: Administrative Operations
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): Meredyth Muth, Director of Administrative Services and Operations
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Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 0 minutes
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For time estimate: please put 0 for Consent items.
Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
Town Council is required to approve all contracts for legal counsel.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve resolution and agreement for legal services.
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
The Town Council has appointed a new in-house Town Attorney, but wishes to keep Hoffman, Parker, Wilson & Carberry under contract for general legal work during the transition. Once the Town Attorney has been able to staff her office and come up to speed on the Town’s legal issues, staff anticipates using the outside firm for general legal services less frequently.
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Per the Home Rule Charter, the Town Attorney is appointed directly by the Town Council. Earlier this year, the Council decided to bring the position in-house. After a recruitment process and interviews, the new Town Attorney, Breena Meng, is set to be appointed on November 4 and start work on December 1.
HPWC has agreed to continue to work with the Town after December 1 during a transition period. Specifically, they are available to work on general legal issues and ongoing litigation. This will allow Ms. Meng time to come up to speed on current issues and give her time to hire additional in-house staff. Once the Town Attorney’s Office is fully staffed, the new staff will take over these general legal issues.
During the transition period Ms. Meng will manage the contract with HPWC and determine whether in-house or contract staff will handle legal issues.
attachments
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution No. 25-173
2. Agreement for Legal Services