HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10141986 - X.4 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on October 14 , 1986 by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisor Fanden, .Schroder, Torlakson and Powers
NOES: Supervisor McPeak
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT: Association of Special )
Counsel in Action )
No. C 86-0225 JPV )
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District has been sued in U.S. District
No. C .86-0225 JPV. The lawsuit asserts causes of action for civil rights viola-
tions. Upon recommendation of the County Counsel and Chief of the District, the
law firm. of Whitmore, .Kay and Stevens has been associated in the defense of the
case.
This Board hereby authorizes the Chairman to sign the contract for represen-
tation with Whitmore, Kay and Stevens and, further, authorizes defense of any
-District employee who might be named in said action.
Supervisor McPeak ' voted no, commenting that she wished to wait \
to hire counsel until a process had been pursued .
1 hereby osrMy that this Is a true and comet copy of
an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of SuWMILtx
n the date shown.
ATTESTED: 1 W Z 2/_
PHIL BATCHELOR, Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator
n
by 0 .Deputy
Orig. Dept.: C.C.C. Fire District
CC: County Counsel
County Administrator
Auditor-Controller
AGREEMENT
FOR LEGAL SERVICES
BY THIS AGREEMENT dated October 14, 1986, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT hereinafter referred to a "DISTRICT," and the law firm
of Whitmore, Kay and Stevens hereinafter referred to as "SPECIAL COUNSEL,"
mutually agree:
1. Purpose. The DISTRICT having civil rights claims asserted against it is in
need of legal services to defend against these claims. SPECIAL COUNSEL is a
law firm competent and experienced in the legal defense against such claims.
2. SPECIAL COUNSEL'S Obligations. SPECIAL COUNSEL shall perform
legal services and legal representation on behalf of DISTRICT and its employees
for the litigation entitled Clark W. Walker v. Contra Costa County Consolidated
Fire Protection District, et al., U.S. Dist. Ct. No. C-86-0225 JPV (hereafter
sometimes the "lawsuit") in which the DISTRICT is named as a Defendant. SPECIAL
COUNSEL shall assign to such cases members of its staff who are qualified and
competent to provide professional legal service and legal representation. No
major decisions concerning the handling of the case, commitments for substantial
expenditures concerning retention of expert witnesses, or settlement offers are
to be made without prior approval of the County Counsel or his designee and when
appropriate or necessary, the Board of Supervisors.
3. DISTRICT Obligations. In consideration for providing legal services,
including all of the time devoted to the lawsuit commencing with the time first
received by SPECIAL COUNSEL, DISTRICT -shall pay SPECIAL COUNSEL upon receipt
of detailed invoice at the rates specified by the attached schedule of rates.
All trial time shall be paid at the same specified hourly rate. In addition,
SPECIAL COUNSEL, also shall be paid for actual and reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses, such as filing fees, costs of deposition and court reporter fees,
expert witness fees, jury fees, mileage, telephone calls, and other items as may
be necessary in defending the case. Invoices for aforesaid fees and expenses,
in duplicate, shall be forwarded to Victor J. Westman, County Counsel, P.O.
BOX 69, Martinez, CA. 94553, Attn: Edward Lane, Jr., or his designee for
DISTRICT payment. The DISTRICT shall cooperate fully with the SPECIAL
COUNSEL by providing at no expense to SPECIAL COUNSEL such reports,
investigations, records, and other documents as may be reasonably necessary for
legal defense of the case.
4. Term. The term of this agreement shall be from October 14, 1986 until
December 31, 1987.
5. Independent Contractor Status. In performing the legal services herein
agreed upon, SPECIAL COUNSEL shall have the status of independent contractor and
shall not be deemed to be an office, employee or agent of the DISTRICT.
6. Subcontract and Assignment. SPECIAL COUNSEL shall not subcontract any
of the work or assign any of its rights or obligations without the prior written
consent of the DISTRICT.
7. Records. SPECIAL COUNSEL shall at all times keep a complete and thorough
record of the time expended in performing services on behalf of the DISTRICT as
herein agreed upon and SPECIAL COUNSEL shall also make available to DISTRICT for
audit all such records so maintained.
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8. Indemnification. The SPECIAL COUNSEL shall defend, save harmless and indem-
nify the DISTRICT and its officers, agents and employees from all liabilities
and claims for damages for death, sickness or injury to persons or property,
including without limitation, all consequential damages, from any cause what-
soever arising from or connected with legal representation of the DISTRICT and
resulting from the negligence of the SPECIAL COUNSEL, its agents or employees.
9. Insurance. During the entire term of this Contract and any extension or
modification thereof, the SPECIAL COUNSEL shall keep in effect insurance poli-
cies providing coverage for general public liability, including automobiles,
lawyers' professional liability, and workers' compensation exposures at limits
deemed acceptable by the Chief of the District. SPECIAL COUNSEL shall provide
Certificates of Insurance evidencing that the above required insurance coverages
are in effect.
10. Conflicts of Interest. SPECIAL COUNSEL promises and agrees that it and
members of its staff shall avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
SPECIAL COUNSEL agrees to immediately notify the County Counsel or his designee
of any case which may involve an actual or potential conflict of interest.
11. Termination. This contract may be terminated by DISTRICT, at Its sole
discretion, upon ten-day advance written notice.
12. Signatures. These signatures attest the parties' agreement hereto.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
By
Chair, Board of Supervisors as ex-officio
the governing board of the Contra Costa County
Fire Protection District
ATTEST: Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator
By
Deputy
SPECIAL COUNSEL
By
Designate official capacity in
business and affix corporation seal.)
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State of California )
ss.
County of Santa Clara )
ACKNOWLEDGMENT (CC 1190.1)
The person signing above for SPECIAL
COUNSEL known to me in those Individual
and business capacities, personally appeared
before me today and acknowledge that he/
they signed it and that the corporation
executed this instrument pursuant to its
bylaws or a resolution of its board of
directors.
Notary Public
Dated:
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CLARK WALKER v. CONTRA COSTA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT9 ET AL.
U.S.D.C. - N.D. C86-0225-JP-V-
SCHEDULE OF FEES
Whitmore, Kay and Stevens
(Hourly Rates)
Partner - $135.00
Associate - 60.00 to 105.00
Law Clerk - 40.00
Paralegal - 40.00
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