LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (46)
LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made on the day of 2008, by and
between the CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA (the "City") and the law firm of Banker
Lopez Gassler PA ("Counsel").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the City wishes to retain a firm to serve as Counsel in connection with
matters pertaining to workers' compensation claims filed against the City of Clearwater.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED AS COUNSEL. Counsel is
hereby authorized to provide services as described in this Agreement and for the
professional fees described in this Agreement.
SECTION 2. SCOPE OF SERVICES. Counsel hereby agrees to provide its
professional services in connection with workers' compensation claims as assigned by
the City of Clearwater.
SECTION 3. PROFESSIONAL FEES FOR SERVICES. The City and Counsel
agree to a rate of $135.00 per hour for attorney services for shareholder level attorneys,
$110.00 per hour for attorney services for associate attorneys, and $75.00 for paralegal
services. Said rates are subject to increase within the term of this agreement by mutual
agreement between counsel and Risk Management, and it is agreed between the parties
that a rate increase need not require execution of a new agreement. It is agreed that the
hourly rate will be paid during attorneys' travel time when travel is required during
representation of the city under this agreement. Ordinary local travel to and from
Counsel's office is not included in travel time to be reimbursed.
SECTION 4. TERM. This Agreement will be effective from January 1, 2009 to
December 31, 2011.
SECTION 5. COMPENSABLE EXPENSES. Reimbursement of expenses shall
be made by the City to the firm for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses as determined by
the City Attorney without markup, including but not limited to long distance calls and
facsimiles, copying or reproducing documents, postage, court costs, parking costs and
travel incurred by Counsel in performance of the duties hereunder. Travel and per diem
costs as well as auto travel expenses shall not exceed that which is available to City of
Clearwater employees.
SECTION 6. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE. Counsel agrees to protect,
defend, indemnify and hold the City and its officers, employees and agents free and
harmless from and against any and all losses, penalties, damages, settlements, costs,
charges, professional fees or other expenses or liabilities of every kind and character
arising out of or due to any negligent act or omission of Counsel or its employees in
connection with or arising directly or indirectly out of this Agreement and/or the
performance hereof. Without limiting its liability under this Agreement, Counsel shall
procure and maintain during the life of this Agreement professional liability insurance in
an amount in excess of $1,000,000. This provision shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
SECTION 7. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. It is understood by the City and Counsel
that Counsel is not aware of any clients of the firm that currently present any conflict
between the interests of the City and other clients of Counsel. If any potential conflict of
interest arises during the time Counsel is representing the City, Counsel will promptly
inform the City. The City is under no obligation to agree to permit the conflict
representation.
SECTION 8. CONSTRUCTION AND AMENDMENTS. This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida. This
Agreement may be amended only by a writing duly entered into by the City and Counsel.
SECTION 9. CANCELLATION OF AGREEMENT. The City or Counsel may
cancel or terminate this Agreement upon ten days advance written notice to Counsel. In
the event of cancellation, Counsel shall immediately cease work hereunder and shall be
reimbursed for eligible and documented reimbursable fees and expenses incurred prior to
the date of cancellation. Further, it is understood and agreed between the City and
Counsel that Mark E. Hungate, Esquire, will be the lead attorney assigned by the firm to
provide the services contained herein. The City in its absolute discretion may
immediately terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the firm if the services of this
attorney are unavailable to the City.
SECTION 10. ATTORNEYS FEES. In the event that either party seeks to
enforce this Agreement through attorneys at law, then the parties agree that each party
shall bear its own costs and that jurisdiction for such an action shall be in a court of
competent jurisdiction in Pinellas County, Florida.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City and Counsel have executed this Agreement as
of the date first written above.
Countersigned:
CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
By:
nk V. Hibbard William B. Horne II
Mayor City Manager
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Approved as to form: Attest:
A
Pamela K. Akin
City Attorney ".R
ker Lopez Gassler PA
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