Res No 076-15-14415RESOLUTION NO.076-15-14415
A Resolution authorizing the City Attorney to enter into a contract with Becker
Poliakoff to provide the City of South Miami with legal representation forall public
private partnerships and related matters.
WHEREAS,the City Commission instructed the CityManager to investigate the
process and procedure to accomplish the goalsof the Green Task Force that were adopted by
the City Commission;and
WHEREAS,the CityManagerhas concluded that apublic private partnership may
allow the City to reach the goals adopted by the City Commission andas envisioned by the
Green Task Force;and
WHEREAS,legal representation in the area ofpublic private partnerships isvery
specializedand requires a team of legal professionalswho are expert inthis field;and
WHEREAS,expert legal representation in the fieldofpublicprivate partnerships will
be required forallsolicitedandunsolicited proposals that the Citymay receive relating to a
new facility whichmayincludeCity Hall,the CityofSouth Miami Police Department anda
libraryandwhichwillneed to beevaluatedbyateamof legal professionals.
WHEREAS,the City Attorney and the CityManagerhave interviewed two lawfirms
that specializeinpublicprivatepartnerships,towit:Greenberg TraurigandBecker Poliakoff;
and
WHEREAS,both of the law firms that were interviewed have been involved in the
representation ofmanyclientswhohaveengagedinpublicprivate partnerships;and
WHEREAS,should the City enter intoaprocess to review public privatepartnerships,
theCity will attempt to cover the feesforsuch legal review,analysis andadvice;and
WHEREAS,the City Attorney and the CityManagerbelieve that BeckerPoliakoff will
providetheCitywith the bestadviceand representation onpublicprivate partnerships as
contemplated by the goals adopted by the CityCommission.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA THAT;
Section I -TheCity Attorney isauthorizedto enter into the attached retainer
agreement withBecker Poliakoff forthe purpose ofproviding the CityofSouth Miami with
expert legal representation for public privatepartnerships,andrelatedmatters,that theCity
may consider for the creation ofpublic facilities byprivateentities.
Section 2.Thisresolution shall takeeffect immediately uponadoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th dayofMay 2015
Page1 of2
Pg.2 of Res.No.076^15-14415
COMMISSION VOTE:
READ AND
LANGUAC
OVED AS TO FORM,
ALITY Ar
EREOrf
APPROVED
MAYOR
COMMISSION VOTE:4-0
Mayor Stoddard:yea
ViceMayor Harris:Yea
Commissioner Welsh:absent
Commissioner Liebman:Yea
Commissioner Edmond:Yea
BECKER 6°Lee A#wdntraub'Es<*-T%f\M*1 a wrvpp Board Certified Construction Lawyer
P\JLIAKAJr I lweintraub@bplegal.com
1 East Broward Blvd.,Suite 1800
Ft.Lauderdale,FL 33301
VIA EMAIL AT TPEPE@SOUTHMIAMIFL.GOV
May 21,2015
Thomas F.Pepe,Esq.
City Attorney
City of South Miami
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami,FL 33143-5093
Re:Consultationfor Public/Private PartnershipOpportunities
Dear Mr.Pepe;
Ithas been our pleasure todiscusswithyouthe opportunities public/private partnerships
("P3")may provide totheCity of SouthMiamiindelivering public facilitiesand infrastructure
through partnerships withtheprivatesector.AlthoughP3sarenotforevery municipality or
every project,they provide possibilities for project development under theright circumstances
that may not be available under traditional procurement measures.Weare excited about
working with the City of South Miami ("Client")in exploring possibilities and maximizing the
benefitstotheCitywhereP3saremostappropriate.
Weare pleased to present the following proposal on behalf of Becker &Poliakoff,P.A.
("B&P"or "Firm")whowill,whenretained,providethefollowing services aslegal consultant
for Client:
1.Train Client andits department heads,City Commission and other stakeholders inthe
advantages,disadvantages and best practices forP3 projects and assist in identifying P3
opportunities within theCityto maximize the delivery of public facilitiesand
infrastructure.
2.Assist withdue diligence withtheprivatesectortoassesstheextenttowhichP3scanbe
best utilized within theCity.
3.Attend meetings with potential stakeholdersand participants inP3 projects toassistwith
communications of expectations,parametersandrestrictionsandhelpstructurethe
project fromstrategicandlegalperspectives.
4.Assist intheselection,review and development of procurement vehicles andprocedures.
5.Advocateon behalf of Clientduringtheentireprocurementprocess.
6.ConsultonP3aspects of thedevelopment of P3projects.
7.Additionally,shouldyousorequest,B&Phasaccesstoandwillintroduceyoutoprivate
sector participants inP3projectstomaximize Client's exposuretothosemarkets.
8.Assistintheanalysis of bothunsolicitedandcompetitivelybidprojectsutilizingtheP3
delivery method.
www.bplegal.com care@bplegal.com
FloridaNew Jersey NewYork Virginia Washington,DCPrague
ThomasF.Pepe,Esq.
City of South Miami
Page 2
9.Assistinthe development and refinement ofallP3 solicitation documents issuedbythe
City.
10.Assistinthe responsiveness review of all submissions receivedbytheCityregardingP3
projects.
11.Provide technical andstrategicadviceand recommend otheroutsideconsultingexpertise
when/as required bytheCity.
12.Maintainapolicy of professionalliabilityinsurancewithminimumcoveragelimits of
$10,000,000anda deductible/retention nottoexceed$100,000duringtheterm of the
agreementand,uponthetermination of theagreement,wewillmakecommercially
reasonableeffortstocontinuethepolicytoprovidecoverageforactsand/oromissions
thatoccurredduringtheterm of the agreement andforaminimumoftwoyears following
theend of thetermtocoveranyclaimsthataroseduringtheterm of theagreement.
Youacknowledgethatwerepresentavariety of companiesintheconstructionandpublic/private
partnershipindustries,some of whommaybidtoprocureworkfromClient.Youunderstandthe
potentialconflict of interestthiscancreate,butagreenottoprecludeusfromrepresentingany
otherclientwithrespecttoanyprojectoutsidetheCity of SouthMiamiorwithintheCityon
projectsonwhichwearenotprovidingtheCitywithconsultationorotherlegalservices.We
agreetonotrepresentotherclientswithrespecttotheirtransactionswiththeCity,including,but
notlimitedto,any bid,responseto solicitations,attempttoprocureworkfromtheCityor
submission of unsolicitedproposalstotheCitysolongaswerepresenttheCity.Wewillatall
timesactinthe City's bestinterestregardingourservicesoutlinedhereinandwillpromptly
informyouif,atanytime,wefeelapotentialconflictorothercircumstancearisesthatmay
compromiseourabilityto folly representtheCityinanunbiasedmanner.Inthatevent,theCity
Commissionshalldecidewhethertowaivetheconflictonacasebycasebasis.TheCityshall
havetherighttoterminatethisagreementatanytimeandforanyreason,includingtheexistence
of apotentialconflict.Thetermination of the representation willnotterminatetheCity's
obligationtopayourfeesandexpensesincurredpriortothe termination.Weagreethatany
informationweobtainduringourrepresentation of theCitythatisnotapublicrecordshallbekept
confidentialandsuchdutyshallsurvivetheterm of thisagreement.
P3 Team
TheP3 Practice Group which willbe handling a majority of the work for Client consists
of:AlanBecker,a Founding Shareholder;LeeWeintraub,Shareholder,Construction Litigation
PracticeGroup Vice-Chair,author of Florida's P3legislationandChair of the Firm's P3 Practice
Group;Jennifer Bales Drake,Shareholder,Chair of Real Estate Practice Group and Vice-Chair
of P3 Practice Group;George Burgess,COO,Vice-Chair of P3 Practice Group whois not an
attorney and will not be providing legal services but isthe former Miami-Dade County Manager
and Governor's P3TaskForce member with extensive governmental andP3 experience;Marcie
Oppenheimer Nolan,Senior Attorney,certifiedland planner inthe Government LawandLobby
Practice Group;William Cea,Shareholder,Construction Litigation Practice Group,who
concentrates his practice on public procurement and bidding processes,and Greg Steube,an
associate inthe Firm.Other attorneys in our Government Relations Practice Group,Corporate
Thomas F.Pepe,Esq.
City of South Miami
Page 3
and Securities Practice Group andthe Intellectual Property Practice Group willbe available on
an as-needed basis.
Legal Fees
Thelegaland consultation services provided bytheFirmwillbe provided attherate of
$300perhourfortimeincurredbyattorneysorour Chief Operating Officer GeorgeBurgessand
$100 perhourfor paralegal timeupuntilthetimeinwhichan unsolicited proposalorresponseto
any procurement solicitation isreceivedbytheClient.Uponthe Client's receipt of the
unsolicited proposal or solicitation response,therateswillincreaseto$375perhourfortime
incurredbyattorneysandMr.Burgessand $110 perhourforparalegals.
Itis understood and agreed thattheClientwillbe responsible foranyandallfeesand
costs incurred under thisletter of agreement andwillpaysameastheyaccrueandarebilled.Itis
further understood andagreedthatthe Finn willnotberequiredtoadvancecostson behalf of the
Clientandyouagreetoforwardsuchadditionalcostdepositfundsasarenecessarytopayfor
out-of-pocketexpensesinconnectionwithourlegalrepresentation.TheFirmwillprovidethe
Clientwithanitemizedstatementforservicesperformedonanhourlybasisandcostsincurred
onamonthlybasis.Thesebillsshallbecomedueandpayablewithinfifteendays of saidreceipt
of statement.
Public Records:Weagreethatweandall of ourconsultantsarerequiredtocomplywith
thepublicrecordslaw(s.119.0701)withregardtoandtotheextent of theservicesweprovideon
behalf of theCityandwe,undersuchconditions,shallincorporatethisparagraphinall of our
contractswithconsultantsinvolvedintheworkweperformfortheCity.Weagreetothe
following statutory requirements:Keep(a)andmaintainpublicrecordsthatordinarilyand
necessarilywouldberequiredProvidethepublicbythepublicagencyinordertoperformthe
service;(b)withaccesstopublicrecordsonthesametermsandconditionsthatthepublicagency
wouldprovidetherecordsandatacostthatdoesnotexceedthecostEnsurethatprovidedin
thischapterorasotherwiseprovidedbylaw;(c)publicrecordsthatareexemptorconfidential
andexemptfrompublicrecordsMeet disclosure requirements arenotdisclosedexceptas
authorizedbylaw;(d)allrequirementsforretainingpublicrecordsandtransfer,atnocost,tothe
publicagencyallpublicrecordsinpossessionofthecontractorupontermination of thecontract
anddestroyanyduplicatepublicrecordsthatareexemptor confidential andexemptfrompublic
records disclosure requirements.Allrecordsstored electronically mustbeprovidedtothepublic
agencyinaformatthatiscompatiblewiththe information technologysystems of thepublic
agency.
Alsomadeapart of thisletteraretheFirm'sStandardTerms of Engagement,whichare
enclosedherewithandincorporatedbyreferenceinour proposal.
ThomasF.Pepe,Esq.
City of South Miami
Page 4
Ifyouwishtoproceedin accordance withthis proposal,itisimportantthatwebegin
quicklytolaythe groundwork.Allyouhavetodotogetitrollingisexecutethisletterbelow
andonthelastpage of theattachedTermsof Engagement andreturnonecopytome.
Weare excited atthe prospect of workingwithyouonyourprojectsandlookforwardto
continuing our long standing relationship.
Very truly yours,
Lee A.Weintraub
Enclosure
cc:JenniferBalesDrake,Esq.
George Burgess
Steven Alexander (via email)
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE FOREGOING RETAINER AGREEMENT
ARE HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED.
The Firm's Standard Terms and Conditions signed by the City Attorney is made a part
hereof by reference.The Firm shall designate one person to be the lead attorney and the
City shall not be charged for more than one attorney's time for the same matter due to
consultation,other than when attending meetings,such as meetings with the City,meetings
with prospective bidders,and meetings with consultants at the request of the City or as
otherwise agreed upon by email from the City Attorney for each other occasion.No
lobbying shall be conducted without a separate agreement for lobbying.This agreement
must be approved by the City Commission.
Digitally signed by:Thomas F.Pepe
DJN;CN=ThomasF.PepeC=US
f City ofSouth Miami OU =City
^Attorney
_,jr ,v ,Date:2015.05.21 18:05:37-05'00'By:_
Name:
Title:
Ai
Thomas F.Pepe,Esq.
City of South Miami
Page 5
TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT
We appreciate your decision to retain Becker &Poliakoff,P.A.(the "Firm")asyourlegal
counsel.This document explains how wework,our obligations toyou,your obligations tous,what
wewilldoon your behalf,and how our charges willbe determined and billed.Experience has
shown thatan understanding of these matters will contribute toa better relationship between us,and
that,inturn,makes our efforts more productive.
Our engagement andtheserviceswewill provide toyouare limited tothe matters)
identifiedinthe accompanying letter.Anychangesinthescope of our representation,asdescribed
intheletter,mustbe approved inwriting.Wewillprovideservices of a strictly legalnaturerelated
tothe matters)described intheletter.You will provide us with the factual information and
materialswerequireto perform theservicesidentifiedintheletter,andyouwillmakesuchbusiness
ortechnicaldecisionsanddeterminationsasareappropriate.Youwillnotrelyonusforbusiness,
investment,or accounting decisions,orexpectustoinvestigatethe character or credit of personsor
entitieswith whom youmaybedealing,unlessotherwise specified intheletter.Further,theremay
betaxconsequencesresultingfromthetransaction,claim,settlement,orotherresolution of your
matter.UnlessspecifiedinwritingbytheFirm,theFirmwillnotbe providing taxadvice.The
Firm has capable and experienced taxattorneyson staff whocanassistyouat your request.
ConfidentialityandRelatedMatters
Regardingtheethics of ourprofessionthatwillgovernourrepresentation,severalpoints
deserveemphasis.Asamatter of professionalresponsibility,wearerequiredtopreservethe
confidences and secrets of ourclients.Thisprofessionalobligationandthelegalprivilegefor
attorney-client communications existtoencouragecandidandcomplete communication between a
clientandhislawyer.Wecanperformtrulybeneficialservicesforaclient,only if weareaware of
allinformationthatmightberelevanttoourrepresentation.Consequently,wetrustthatour
attorney-clientrelationshipwithyouwillbebasedonmutualconfidenceandunrestrained
communication thatwillfacilitateourproperrepresentation of you.Additionally,youshouldbe
awarethat,ininstancesinwhichwerepresentacorporationorotherentity,ourclientrelationshipis
withthe "entity"andnot with its individual executives,shareholders,directors,partners,or persons
insimilarpositions,orwithitsparent,subsidiaries,orotheraffiliates.Inthosecases,our
professional responsibilities are owed onlytothatentity,alone,andno conflict of interestwillbe
asserted byyou because we represent persons with respect to interests thatare adverse tothe
individual persons or business organizations whohavea relationship withyou.Of course,wecan
also represent individual executives,shareholders,partners,and other persons related totheentityin
mattersthatdonot conflict withtheinterests of theentity,butanysuch representation willbethe
subject of aseparate engagement letter.Similarly,whenwe represent apartyonan insured claim,
we represent the insured,not the insurer,even though we may be approved,selected,or paid bythe
insurer.
Thomas F.Pepe,Esq.
City of South Miami
Page6
FeesandBilling
We encourageflexibilityindeterminingbilling arrangements.Forexample,weoftenagree
withourclientstoperformservicesonafixed-fee,successfee,orotherbasisthatweandtheclient
believewill encourage efficiencyandreflectthevalue of ourservicesin relation toa particular
objective.
If youandwehaveagreedonafixedfeeorsuccessfee arrangement,youagreethatourfees
willnotbeUmitedtothefixedamount if you fail tomakeacompleteand accurate disclosure of
informationthatwehaverequestedandthatwe reasonably require forourwork,or if youmaterially
changetheterms,conditions,scope,ornature ofthework,asdescribed by youwhenwedetermined
thefixedamount,orascomparedwiththeworknormallyandcustomarily involved insimilar
engagements.If any of theseeventsoccur,you agree thatourfeeswillbebasedupontheother
factors describedbelow,unlessyouandweagreeonarevisedfixedorsuccessfee.
If theaccompanyingletterdoesnotprovideforafixedfee,ourfeesforserviceswillbe
determinedasdescribedinthefollowing paragraphs.
When establishingfeesforservicesthatwe render,weareguidedprimarily by thetimeand
labor required,although wealso consider other appropriate factors,suchasthenoveltyand
difficulty of the legal issues involved;the legal skill required to perform the particular assignment;
time-savinguse of resources (including research,analysis,data anddocumentation)thatwehave
previouslydevelopedandstored electronically orotherwiseinquickly retrievable form;thefee
customarily charged by comparable law firms forsimilarlegal services;theamount of money
involvedoratriskandtheresults obtained;and,thetime constraints imposed by eithertheclientor
the circumstances.We generally require a retainer inanamountthatis appropriate with respect to
the proposed representation.Unless otherwise agreed,the retainer willbe applied tothelast
statementrenderedinconnectionwiththe representation,withanyunusedportionbeingreturnedto
theclient.Thefirm,inits discretion,mayapplythe retainer againstunpaidpastduebillsand
mayapplyacostretaineragainstunpaidattorney'sfees.
Indetermininga reasonable feeforthetimeandlaborrequiredfora particular matter,we
considertheability,experience,andreputation of thelawyerorlawyersinourfirmwhoperformthe
services.To facilitate thisdetermination,weinternallyassigntoeachlawyeranhourlyratebased
onthese factors.If wedeterminethat research orotherworkcanbe efficiently handled by alaw
clerkor paralegal underanattorney's supervision,thetime of thelawclerkor paralegal willbe
billedatthelowest paralegal rate applicable tothenature oftheservicesperformed.
Of course,our hourly rateschangeperiodicallytoaccountforincreasesinourcost of
deliveringlegalservices,othereconomic factors,andtheaugmentation of a particular lawyer's
ability,experience,andreputation.Any suchchangesinhourlyratesareappliedprospectively,as
wellastounbilled time previously expended.You willbeadvised of anychangeinthehourlyrate
applicabletoyourmatter.We recordandbillour time in one-tenth hour(six minute)increments;
Thomas F.Pepe,Esq.
City of South Miami
Page 7
however,theminimumtimethatisnormallybilledforthetotal of anindividual lawyer's activities
onamatterinasingledayistwo-tenths of anhour.
Whenselectinglawyerstoperformservicesforyou,wegenerallyseektoassignlawyers
havingthelowesthourlyratesconsistentwiththeskills,timedemands,andotherfactorsinfluencing
theprofessional responsibility involved ineachmatter.Thatdoesnot mean wewillalwaysassigna
lawyerwithalowerhourlyratethanotherlawyers.Ascircumstancesrequire,theservices of
lawyersinourfirmwithspecialskillsorexperiencemaybesoughtwhenthatwilleither(a)reduce
thelegalexpensetoyou,(b)provideaspecializedlegalskillneeded,or(c)helpmovethematter
forwardmorequickly.If that lawyer's regular officeisina location otherthanthe Becker &
Poliakoff,P.A.officeinthecityinwhichyouare located,youwillnotbe charged forhisorher
traveltimeexceptinthecase of lawyerswhosepracticeis concentrated infields of laworwhose
expertise is greater than that generally available inthecityin which are you located.Also,to
encourage theuse of suchlawyersin situations wheretheirservicescan provide a significant benefit
thatis disproportionate tothetime devoted tothematter,wemaynotbillfor their services onan
hourly rate basis but,if you agreeinadvance,wewilladjustthefeeonan "added value"basisatthe
conclusion of thematter,if andtotheextenttheirservices contributed toa favorable resultforyou.
Inaneffortto maximize efficiency andimprovethequality of legalservices,wehavemadea
substantial investment inthe application of technologytothe practice of law.Adirect benefit of
thistechnologyistheabilitytodoresearch,compiledocumentsandrespondtoclientneedsina
fraction of thetime previously required;therebysubstantially improving thequality of legalservices
while reducing thecosts.To effectively utilize technology inthelawoffice,thereare on-going
costs associated with system research,development,maintenance,upkeep,and stafftraining,aswell
asthetimeexpendedindevelopingtheprimarysourcedocuments.Accordingly,insituationsin
whichapreviously-developedworkproductisusedasaprimarysource of a paralegal's oran
attorney's workproduct,avaluemustbeappliedtothe previously-developed workproduct.This
processis known asvaluebilling.Valuebillingissimplyapplyinga weighted valuetothetime
expendedin providing legalservices,whichallocatesavalueforthe previously-developed work
product.Thebenefittotheclient of atechnologically-advancedfirmisimprovedlegalservices
tailoredtothe client's needsinafraction of thetimeandatafraction of thecost.Inmanymatters,a
weightedvalue(valuebilling)willbeappliedtoa paralegal's oran attorney's effortswhichutilize,
asaprimarysource,a previously-developed workproduct.If youhaveanyquestions concerning
theapplication of valuebillingtoaspecificmatterbeinghandledbyus,pleasefeelfreetowriteor
call the attorney handling your matters).
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Inadditiontolegalfees,ourstatementswillincludeout-of-pocketexpensesthatwehave
advancedonyour behalf andothercharges(whichmayexceeddirectcostsandallocatedoverhead
expenses)for certain support activities.Advancedexpenseswill generally includesuchitemsas
travel,parking,postage,filing,recording,certification,andregistrationfeeschargedby
governmentalbodies.Otherchargestypicallyincludesuchitemsastollcalls,facsimile
transmissions,scanningcharges,overnightcourier services,certainchargesforcomputerresearch
andcomplexdocumentproduction,andchargesforcopyingandscanningmaterialssenttoyouor
thirdpartiesorrequiredforouruse.Somesuchcosts,including computer searches,computer
Thomas F.Pepe,Esq.
City of South Miami
Page 8
generated documents,longdistance telephone callsand faxes,mayincludean administrative fee
chargedbytheFirm,as determined bytheFirmfromtimetotime.Wemayrequestan advance cost
deposit(inadditiontotheadvancefee deposit)whenweexpectthatwewillberequiredtoincur
substantial costsonyourbehalf.
Duringthecourse of our representation,itmaybe appropriate tohirethirdpartiestoprovide
servicesonyourbehalf.Theseservicesmayinclude consulting ortestifyingexperts,investigators,
providers of computerized litigation support,andcourt reporters.Because of thelegal"work
product"protectionaffordedtoservicesthatanattorneyrequestsfromthirdparties,incertain
situationswemayassume responsibility forretainingthe appropriate service providers.Even if we
doso,however,youwillberesponsibleforpayingallfeesandexpensesdirectlytotheservice
providersorreimbursingusfortheseexpenses.
Billing
Webillperiodicallythroughoutthe engagement foraparticularmatter,andourmonthly
statementsareduewhenrendered.If ourfeesarebasedprimarilyontheamount of ourtime
devotedtothematter,ourstatementswillberendered monthly.Ininstancesinwhichwerepresent
morethanonepersonwithrespecttoamatter,eachpersonthatwerepresentisjointlyandseverally
liableforourfeesandexpenseswithrespecttotherepresentation.Ourstatementscontainaconcise
summary of eachmatterforwhichlegalservicesarerenderedandafeeischarged.
If ourstatementisnotpaidinatimelymanner,wereservetherighttodiscontinueservices.
Additionally,if ourstatementhasnotbeenpaidwithinthirty(30)daysfromthedate of the
statement,weimposeaninterestcharge of oneand one-half (1.5%)percentpermonth(aneighteen
[18%]percentannualpercentagerate),fromthe30thdayafterthedate of thestatementuntilitis
paidinfull.Interestchargesapplytospecificmonthlystatementsonanindividualstatementbasis.
Anypaymentsmadeonpast-duestatementsareappliedfirsttotheoldestoutstandingstatement.If
youhave given theFirma deposit for attorneys'feesand/orcosts that the Firm has deposited in
our trust account which is designated forusein one matter,and you failto pay attorneys1feesor
costsforanother matter theFirmishandlingforyou,theFirmshallhavethe option to disburse
thosefundstotheFirmtopay outstanding attorneys1 feesandcostsinanyother matter provided
that attorneys'feesandcostsintheothermatteraremorethan60days past due.If collection
activitiesarenecessary,wewillbeentitledtoreasonableattorneys'feesandcosts,whether pre-trial,
trialorappellate.Post-judgment interestshallaccrueattherate of eighteen (18%)percent per
annum.Inthe event of adisputeovertheamount of legalfees charged orthe manner,nature or
extent of legalservicesprovided,YOUAGREETOAWAIVEROFTRIALBYJURY.Inany
such litigation,jurisdiction and venue willlieinthe Judicial Circuit for Miami-Dade County,
Florida,orthe county where the Firm officeislocatedthathas provided thegreatest amount of
services totheClient,measured bythe amount ofthe delinquent debt.
If you object to any portion of an invoice,you shallso notify the Firm within thirty (30)
calendar days of receipt of the invoice.You shall identify in writing the specific cause of the
disagreement and the amount in dispute,and shall pay that portion of the invoice not in
dispute in accordance with the other payment terms of this Agreement If no dispute is
Thomas F.Pepe,Esq.
City of South Miami
Page 9
submitted within thirty (30)calendar days,the invoice will be considered due and payable
and any dispute regarding the invoice that could have been detected within said thirty (30)
day period shall be deemed waived.
Should the Firm cease to represent CUentforanyreason,including the Firm's voluntary
withdrawal during the pendency of anyaction,andany attorney's feesorcosts remain unpaid,the
Firmisentitledtoacharginglienandtopayment of anycostsand attorney's feesout of any
eventual recovery inthe action (inadditiontoanyrighttoaretaininglien)orotherrightsretained
herein.
Questions About Our Bills
Weinviteyoutodiscussfreelywithusanyquestionsyouhave concerning afee charged for
anymatter.We want ourclientstobesatisfiedwithboththe quality of ourservicesandthe
reasonableness of thefeeswechargeforthoseservices.Wewillattempttoprovideasmuchbilling
information asyourequireandinsuchcustomaryformthatyoudesire,andwearewillingto
discusswithyouany of the various billing formatswehave available thatbestsuits your needs.
RelationshipsWithOtherClients
Because wearealarge,multi-practice lawfirmwithoffices throughout Florida,intheU.S.,
andinternationally,wemaybe(andoftenare)askedtorepresentaclientwithrespecttointerests
thatareadversetothose of another clientwhoisrepresentedbyourfirmin connection with another
matter.Justasyou would notwishtobe prevented inan appropriate situationfromretainingalaw
firmthat competes with Becker &Poliakoff,ourfirm wishes tobeableto consider the
representation of other persons who may becompetitorsinyour industry orwhomayhaveinterests
thatare potentially adversetoyours,butwithrespecttomattersthatare unrelated inanywaytoour
representation of you.Theethicsthat govern us permit usto accept such multiple representations,
assuming certain requirements aremet.
Duringtheterm of thisengagement,weagreethatwewillnotaccept representation of
anotherclientto pursue intereststhataredirectlyadversetoyourinterests,unlessanduntilwemake
fulldisclosuretoyou of allrelevantfactsand circumstances of our undertaking thetwo
representations,confirm toyouingoodfaiththatwehavedoneso,andthatthefollowingcriteria
aremet:(1)thereisnosubstantialrelationshipbetweenanyspecific matter inwhichweare
representingorhaverepresentedyouandthespecificmatterfortheotherclient;(2)anyconfidential
informationwehavereceivedfromyouwillnotbeavailabletothelawyersandotherBecker&
Poliakoffpersonnelinvolvedintherepresentation oftheotherclient;(3)oureffectiverepresentation
of youandthedischarge of ourprofessionalresponsibilitiestoyouwillnotbeprejudicedbyour
representation of theotherclient;and(4)theotherclienthasalsoconsented,inwriting,andonour
fulldisclosure of the relevant facts,circumstances,andimplications of undertaking thetwo
representations.If theforegoingconditionsaresatisfied,youagreethatwemayundertakethe
adverse representation,and that all conflict issueswillbe deemed tohave been resolved or waived
byyou.
Thomas F.Pepe,Esq.
City of South Miami
Page 10
By makingthisagreement,weare establishing the criteria thatwillgoverntheexercise of
yourrightsunder applicable ethicalrulestoobjecttoour representation of anotherclientwhose
interestsareadversetoyours.If youcontestingood faith the facts underlyingourconfirmationto
youthatthespecified criteria havebeenmet,thenwewillhavetheburden of reasonably supporting
those facts.
Virus Protection
Duringthecourse of ourengagement,we may exchangeelectronicversions of
documentsandemailswithyouusingcommercially available software.Unfortunately,the
technology community isoccasionally victimized by the creation anddissemination of so-called
viruses,orsimilardestructiveelectronic programs.We taketheissuesraised by theseviruses
seriouslyandhaveinvestedindocumentandemailscanningsoftwarethatidentifiesandrejects
filescontaining known viruses.We alsoupdateour system withthesoftware of various vendors'
currentreleasesatregularintervals.
By utilizing thisvirusscanningsoftware,our system may occasionallyrejecta
communicationyousendtous.We inturnmaysendyousomethingthatisrejected by your
system.We believethisinfrequentoccurrenceistobeexpectedaspart of theordinarycourse of
business.
Becausethevirusprotectionindustryisgenerallyoneortwostepsbehind new viruses,
wecannotguaranteethatourcommunicationsanddocumentswillalwaysbevirusfree.
Occasionally,aviruswillescapeandgoundetectedasitispassedfromsystemtosystem.
Althoughwebelieveourvirus protection measures areexcellent,wecanmakenowarrantythat
our documents will be virus free at all times.
Pleaseinformus immediately intheeventavirusentersyour company's systemviaany
electronicmeansoriginatingfromourFirm.Throughcooperativeeffortswecan minimize any
disruption toour communications.
Solicitation
We spendagreatdeal of time andresourcestohireandtrainsuperiorattorneysand
employees whoareabletoprovideyou with legalservices conforming toourhighprofessional
standards.Accordingly,intheeventyousolicitorhireaFirmattorneyor employee duringthe
time period we are representing you andforaperiod of six months thereafter,you agree you will
paytheFirman amount equivalent to twenty-five (25%)percent of that attorney or employee's
firstyear of basesalary with your organization (including any signing bonus),plus stock or
equity inyour organization equivalent to twenty-five (25%)percent of any stock or equity grant
madeaspart of yourhiring of suchattorneyoremployee.
Thomas F.Pepe,Esq.
City of South Miami
Page 11
Termination
Uponcompletion of the matters)towhichthisrepresentationapplies,oruponearlier
termination of ourrelationship,theattorney-clientrelationshipwillend,unlessyouandwehave
expresslyagreedtoacontinuationwithrespecttoothermatters.Wehope,of course,thatsucha
continuationwillbethecase.Therepresentationisterminableatwillbyeither of us.The
termination of therepresentationwillnotterminateyourobligationtopayourfeesandexpenses
incurred prior tothe termination.
We will not charge either attorney,professional or paralegal time for administrative
services such as facsimile transmission,scanning,copying,filing,mailing or delivery and these
services shall be charged atarate,including all administrative fees,tobe agreed upon in writing
bytheCity Attorney.Value billing shallbe agreed uponin writing foreachitemtobe billed in
such manner andthe hiring of third parties shallbe approved in writing bytheCityAttorney.
While legal services and costs aretobe billed monthly,theCityshallbe billed by e-mail sentto
the City Attorney whenever the amount reaches$5,000 inanyonemonth.
Your agreement tothis engagement constitutesyour acceptance of theforegoingtermsand
conditions.If any of themisunacceptabletoyou,pleaseadviseusnowsothatwecanresolveany
differencesandproceedwithaclear,completeandconsistentunderstanding of ourrelationship.
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE FOREGOING RETAINER AGREEMENT
ARE HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED,SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF
THE CITY COMMISSION
Digitally signed by:Thomas F.
Pef
['CN=Thomas F.Pepe C=US
=City of South Miami OU =City
Gtorney
Date:2015.05.21 18:06:11 -OS'OO1
Name:
Title:
ACTIVE:6981773 1