Approve Entering into Contract for Civil Legal Services with Joseph Langel of Ratwik, Roszak, & Maloney, PA

At the Council work session earlier this evening, Council reviewed the contract for civil legal services as presented by Mr. Joseph Langel of Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, PA.  Staff recommended the following additions:

Insert New #4 to read as follows:
 
4.  Responsible Attorney and Staff.  Joseph J. Langel shall be the primary attorney for the City.  Mr. Langel shall be responsible for the performance of this agreement, although he may be assisted by other attorneys or support staff in the firm.  Mr. Langel shall supervise all work performed on behalf of the City.

Conflict of Interest and Attorney/Client Privilege Issues become 5, 5.1 and 5.2.

Billing Format, Cycle, Payment Expectations and Interests become 6, 6.1, etc.  All language would remain the same through 6.7 Term. 

Add:
6.8.  Severability.  Upon termination of this agreement, the City shall only be responsible for the pro rata portion of the annual retainer under Section 6.1.

6.9.  Other.  Further, the City expressly reserves its right to hire independent counsel on matters it determines requires an attorney with more expertise or expertise in a particular field.  In such a situation, the City shall remain responsible to the Attorney for the monthly fee provided under this agreement along with any billings not related to the matter for which special counsel was retained.  The City shall only be responsible to the Attorney for extra expenses in relation to the matter for which special counsel is retained if the City names the Attorney as co-counsel in the matter or otherwise requests the Attorney's participation.



 

Council may opt to approve the contract for civil legal services as presented, adopt the language changes recommended by staff, or modify based upon discussion.

The contract is written for two years and has a thirty-day written termination provision for either party.

Staff is recommending approval of the contract for civil legal services with the additions as noted above.  

Legal services are funded from the City's General Budget.

Motion to formally approve entering into the contract, as amended,  for legal services with Joseph Langel, Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, PA.