LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (101)LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Legal Services Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into this IF
day of February 2026 by and between THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, a Florida
municipal corporation (the "City"), and UNICE SALZMAN, P.A., a Florida corporation
("Counsel") (collectively, the City and Counsel are the "Parties").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, due to unforeseen circumstances, the City of Clearwater Community
Development Board (the "Board") does not currently have counsel to represent its interest in an
appeal to the Division of Administrative Hearings filed on February 2, 2026, bearing the case
number of 26-000674 (the "Appeal"); and
WHEREAS, the Parties now wish to enter into this Agreement to allow Counsel to provide
legal services to and represent the Board for the Appeal.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained
herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt whereof being
hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED AS COUNSEL. Counsel is hereby authorized to
provide the services and to obtain the professional fees described in this Agreement.
2. SCOPE OF SERVICES. Counsel hereby agrees to provide its professional services to
represent the Board in the Appeal.
3. PROFESSIONAL FEES FOR SERVICES. The City and Counsel agree to a rate of
$175.00 per hour for the attorney services of Andrew Salzman, Esq. or other Counsel
shareholders, $150.00 per hour for attorney services of Counsel associate attorneys,
and $90.00 per hour for Counsel paralegal services. The total amount paid under this
Agreement shall not exceed $25,000.00.
4. TERM. This Agreement will be effective upon execution and remain in effect until the
Appeal has been fully resolved (the "Term").
5. COMPENSABLE EXPENSES. Reimbursement of expenses shall be made by the City
to Counsel for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses as determined by the City of
Clearwater 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 shall not exceed which is available to the City's employees.
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 losses, penalties, damages, settlements, costs, charges,
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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 term of this Agreement, professional liability insurance in an
amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00. This provision shall survive the termination of
this Agreement.
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.
8. CONSTRUCTION OF AMENDMENTS. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida. This Agreement may
only be amended in writing by mutual agreement of the Parties.
9. CANCELLATION OF AGREEMENT. The City or Counsel may cancel or terminate
this Agreement upon 30 days advance writing notice to the other party. In the event of
cancellation, Counsel shall immediately cease work hereunder and shall reimburse for
eligible and documented reimbursable expenses incurred prior to the date of
cancellation.
10. ATTORNEY'S FEES AND VENUE. In the event that either party hereunder seeks to
enforce this Agreement through attorneys at law, then the Parties agree that each party
shall bear its own costs and that the jurisdiction for such an action shall be in a court of
competent jurisdiction in Pinellas County, Florida.
[Remainder of Page Left Blank Intentionally]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the date and
year first written above.
UNICE SALZMAN, P.A.,
/s/Andrew J. Salzman
Andrew Salzman, Esq.
CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
Owen Kohler
Interim City Attorney
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Rosemarie Call
City Clerk