Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.i. Renew contract with District labor and employment counsel Hanson Bridgett• Central Contra Costa Sanitary District 3.10 BOARD OF DIRECTORS f POSITION PAPER Board Meeting Date: November 5, 2015 Subject: RENEW THE CONTRACT FOR LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT RELATED LEGAL SERVICES WITH HANSON BRIDGETT AND PRINCIPAL COUNSEL W. DANIEL CLINTON, ESQ. FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2016, WITH AN OPTION TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT FOR ONE ADDITIONAL CALENDAR YEAR Submitted By. Initiating Dept /Div.: Roger S. Bailey General Manager Administration REVIEWED AND RECOMMENDED FOR BOARD ACTION: T. O'Malley — Human Resources Manager A. Sasaki — Deputy General Manager Roger S. Baile General Manager ISSUE: Renewal and /or amendment of the contract for labor ftLemployment related legal services with Hanson Bridgett and Principal Counsel W. Daniel Clinton, Esq. requires approval by the Board of Directors. BACKGROUND: Mr. W. Daniel Clinton has provided the District with employment and labor related legal services for over 20 years, and the District has had a contract with his current firm, Hanson Bridgett, since 1998. In 2014, the District renewed the contract with Mr. Clinton for a one -year term ending December 31, 2015. Staff is now requesting that the contract with Hanson Bridgett and Mr. Clinton be renewed for calendar year 2016 for the reasons outlined below, with an option to extend for an additional. Mr. Clinton's historical knowledge of the District, along with his legal expertise, is extremely valuable to the District. During the past several years, there has been a large amount of turnover at the District, which has resulted in the loss of institutional knowledge. Mr. Clinton, with his advice and counsel, has been able to assist in maintaining consistency and continuity, which are critical for Human Resources related issues. Additionally, Mr. Clinton and Hanson Bridgett exhibit high levels of responsiveness and excellent customer service while providing proactive legal advice and counsel. ALTERNATIVES /CONSIDERATIONS: Do not renew the contract with Hanson Bridgett and principal counsel, Mr. Clinton, and direct staff to procure the services of a different firm specializing in labor and employment related legal services. Page 1 of 2 POSITION PAPER Board Meeting Date: November 5, 2015 subject: RENEW THE CONTRACT FOR LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT RELATED LEGAL SERVICES WITH HANSON BRIDGETT AND PRINCIPAL COUNSEL, W. DANIEL CLINTON, ESQ. FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2016, WITH AN OPTION TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT FOR ONE ADDITIONAL CALENDAR YEAR FINANCIAL IMPACTS: The current rate for principal counsel, W. Daniel Clinton, is $410 an hour, and Mr. Clinton's rate will remain the same with the contract renewal. Should the Board extend his contract at the end of 2016, Mr. Clinton has requested a $10 per hour rate increase (2.4 percent) for the 2017 calendar year, which amount is negotiable. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: This matter was discussed at the Administration Committee meeting on October 26, 2015 and the Committee recommended Board approval to renew the contract. RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION: Approve a one -year renewal of the existing contract with Hanson Bridgett and principal counsel, W. Daniel Clinton, for labor and employment related legal services, through December 31, 2016. Attached Supporting Document: 1. Proposed contract with Hanson Bridgett LLP C: \Users \danderson\AppData \Local \Microsoft \Windows \Temporary Internet Files \Content.Outlook \IM9F5ZMU \Renew Hanson Bridgett and Dan Clinton Contract.docx Page 2 of 2 ATTACHMENT 1 W. DANIEL CLINTON TON HansonBridgett PARTNER DIRECT DIAL (415) 995 -5091 DIRECT FAX (415) 995 -3498 E -MAIL dclinton @hansonbridgett.com File No, 21690.1 CONFIDENTIAL — SUBJECT TO ATTORNEY - CLIENT PRIVILEGE October 19, 2015 Ms. Teji O'Malley VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL Human Resources Manager [tomalley @centralsan.org] Central Contra Costa Sanitary District. 5019 Imhoff Place Martinez CA 94553 Re: Hanson Bridgett LLP - Contract for Legal Services Dear Teji: As requested, attached is a proposed contract for legal services, which would be effective upon the expiration of the previous agreement on December 31, 2015. As you will note, we are not proposing an increase from my current billing rate of $410, or from Mike Moye's current billing rate of $400, for calendar year 2016. The proposed agreement would call for a $10 increase in those billing rates for calendar year 2017 if the agreement is renewed by the District at the end of calendar year 2016. This proposal represents a significant discount from my standard billing rate of $585, and Mike's standard rate of $555. It is in line with the amounts we charge other public sector clients, for whom we frequently discount our rates. Those rates for our labor and employment work for our public sector clients by other partners range from approximately $350 per hour to $450 per hour. Factors that effect this range of rates include the longevity of the relationship, the volume of annual billings, and the complexity of the assignment. Typically, our firm's rates for work as General Counsel for public agencies is billed at somewhat lower rates, primarily because of the volume and continuing nature of this work. Hanson Bridgett LLP 425 Market Street, 26th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105 i E,I: i c�3�r E:.lt.)r�tr ; afrta 11620759.1 CONFIDENTIAL - SUBJECT To ATTORNEY- CLIENT PRIVILEGE Ms. Teji O'Malley October 19, 2015 Page 2 Hanson Bridgett values the long-standing relationship we have had with the District, and our knowledge of the District has allowed us to be highly efficient in our billings. We hope with this proposal to continue to provide the District with superior legal services. I look forward to meeting with the Administrative Committee on Monday to answer any questions you may have. Yours truly, (j a J- �U W. DANIEL CLINTON Attachment 11620759.1 CONTRACT FOR LEGAL SERVICES BETWEEN CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT AND HANSON BRIDGETT LLP BY THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this first day of January 2016, by and between the CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT, a political subdivision, hereinafter referred to as the "District," together with the Law Firm of Manson Bridgett LLP and W. Daniel Clinton, hereinafter collectively referred to as "Labor Counsel for the District" or "Firm," the parties mutually agree as follows: SCOPE OF SERVICES ARTICLE I: 1. Labor Counsel for the District, comprised of W. Daniel Clinton and such members of the firm of HANSON BRIDGETT LLP, as are deemed appropriate by the District and the Firm, shall perform labor and employment related services and legal representation on behalf of the District as directed by the Board of the District. Labor Counsel for the District shall work in a cooperative role with the District's management team through the General Manager. 2. It is anticipated that Labor counsel for the District will provide legal services as reasonably required to represent the District and as directed by the District. Labor Counsel will provide the Board and its management team with legal advice and representation on labor and employment related matters and shall take reasonable steps to keep District informed and respond to District inquiries. 3. The District may in its discretion refer litigation matters, labor negotiations and/or special projects to Labor Counsel for the District on a case -by -case basis, which matters will be handled pursuant to the compensation schedule and other terms herein, unless otherwise agreed by the parties; however, there is no requirement that the District refer such matters to the Finn, nor is there a requirement that the District use the firm exclusively for all legal work concerning District labor and employment issues. COMPENSATION ARTICLE II: 1. Labor Counsel for the District will provide legal services from January 1, 2016 through .December 31, 2016, at the hourly rates set forth on Appendix A, attached. At the District's sole discretion, this contract may be renewed for an additional year, from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017, at the hourly rates set forth on Appendix A, attached. 11620634.1 2. Labor Counsel for the District will provide on a monthly basis documentation of actual hours worked by each member of the Firm, together with a designation of the case name and number, a description of the activity undertaken, and the District,staff member requesting the legal services, Labor Counsel for the District shall also make available to the District for audit all of such records so maintained. 3. The Firm's billing rates incorporate normal and routine administrative charges reflecting the costs of mailings, telephone, accounting, and use of other Firm clerical and administrative services. Other discreet, non- routine costs incurred by the Firm on behalf of the District, shall be separately invoiced by the Firm and reimbursed by the District. Such reimbursable costs shall include costs such as, for example, expert witness fees, court filing fees, deposition costs, travel costs outside of Contra Costa, Alameda and San Francisco, messenger services, overnight mailings, facsimiles, duplicating, and computer research charges. TERM OF THE AGREEMENT ARTICLE III: The term of this Agreement shall be from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, and it maybe renewed at the District's sole discretion for an additional year, as set forth in Article II. I:t is anticipated that this Contract may be extended with the mutual consent of each party thereafter. CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP ARTICLE IV: All dealings of the parties under this Agreement shall be confidential and no report, data, information, or communication developed, prepared, or assembled by Labor Counsel for the District under this Agreement shall be revealed, disseminated, or made available by Labor Counsel for the District to any person or organization other than the District without the prior knowledge and concurrence of the District. ASSIGNMENT AND LAWS ARTICLE V: Labor Counsel for the District shall not subcontract any of the work or assign any of its rights or obligations without the prior written consent of the District. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California. NOTICES ARTICLE VI: All notices or other official correspondence relating to contractual maters between the parties hereto shall be made by depositing same in first - class, postage -paid mail addressed as follows: 2 11620634,1 T8 Labor Counsel for the District: W. l)ylNTEl. CLINTON, ESQ. UANSONB0U>O[lTLLy 425 Market Street, 26th Floor San Francisco, CA 94105 To District: ROGER S. BAILEY General Manager CENTRAL CONTRA COST SANITARY DISTRICT 5019 Imhoff Place Martinez, CA 94553 or to such other address as either party may designate hereinafter in writing delivered to the other CONFLICT OF INTEREST ARTICLE VII: Labor Counsel for the District promises and agrees that Labor Counsel for the District and members of his staff shall avoid any actual or potential uonflicts of interest. Labor Counsel for the District agrees to immediately notify the Board o I'Directors and the General Manager of any cases which may involve nu actual o/ potential conflict o[interest, INDEMNIFICATION ARTICLE V111: Neither the District nor Labor Counsel for the District shall be required to indemnify the other party 1othis Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement io intended 1n limit or alter the rights of each party against the other party as such rights may exist under the laws of the State of California. INSURANCE ARTICLE IX: During the entire term ofthis Agreement and any extension ur modification thereof, Labor Counsel for the District oba}l keep io effect insurance policies providing coverage for general public liability, including lawyers' professional liability, and workers' compensation exposure m1limits dcomo] acceptable by the District. Labor Counsel for the District shall provide CujiOou(co of Insurance and other evidence V[ insurance, including copies of the policies au may berequested by the District tu demonstrate that the above required insurance coverages are in effect, Automobile insurance coverage will be provided by the Finn through its general liability coverage nrbythe individual members of the Firm pursuant to their personal automobile policies, and such coverage s6o]i be o| levels acceptable to the District. TERMINATION no20ms4/ ARTICLE X: This Agreement may be terminated by either party, at its sole discretion, upon thirty (30) calendar days prior written notice; provided, however, if a court action(s) has been filed, Firm may terminate this contract and withdraw from representation of District in such action(s) only with the District's consent or upon court approval, In event that W. Daniel Clinton were to leave the Firm of HANSON BRIDGETT LLP, or be unable or unwilling to continue to serve as Labor Counsel for the District as a member of said Firm for any reason, the District shall have the right to continue to direct I ]ANSON BRIDGETT LIT, to perform such legal services as the District deems advisable and to obtain other legal services in whatever manner the District deems advisable, or to immediately terminate the Agreement in the District's sole discretion, TERMS ARTICLE XI: No alteration or variation of the terms of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by the parties hereto. No oral understanding or agreement not incorporated herein shall be binding on any oftbe parties hereto, ARTICLE HEADINGS ARTICLE X11: Article headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not intended to be used in interpreting or construing the terms, covenants, and conditions of this Agreement. PARTIA1, INVALIDITY ARTICLE XII t: If any term, covenant, condition, or provision of this Agreement is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be affected, impaired, or invalidated thereby. SURVIVAL ARTICLE XIV: Notwithstanding the District's acceptance of the services or termination thereof and payment therefor, Labor Counsel for the District shall remain obligated under all clauses of this Agreement which expressly or by their nature extend beyond and survive such acceptance, termination and payment, 4 11620634,1 Notwithstanding the acceptance of the services of Labor Counsel for The District or termination thereof and payment therefor, the District shall remain obligated under all clauses of this Agreement which expressly or by their nature extend beyond and survive such acceptance, termination and payment. SIGNATURES ARTICLE XV: These signatures attest the parties' agreement hereto. By: By: By: CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT MICHAEL R. McGILL President, Board of Directors Attest: ELAINE R. BOEHME, Secretary of the District HANSON BRIDGETTLLP W. DANIEL CLINTON 11620634.1 Attorney W. Daniel Clinton Myron D. Moye APPENDIX A HANSON BRIDGETT LLP District Billing Rate District Billing Rate 01/01/2016 01/01/2017 $410.00 $400.00 $420.00 $410.00 Rates for all other attorneys and legal assistants will be at a 10 percent (10 %) discount of the Firm's regular billing rates. 11620634.1