The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCAG2022-104 - Original - Pacifica Law Group LLP - B&O Tax Code Update Legal Representation - 03/15/2022Kelly Finn Law 03/18/2022 N/A N/A N/A Pacifica Law Group Contract 529533 Original Legal Representation for B&O Tax Code Update unknown Other This contract does not require Mayor's signature. CAG2022-104 3/18/22 March 15, 2022 Tammy White Deputy City Attorney City of Kent 220 Fourth Avenue South Kent, WA 98032 Re: Legal Representation Dear Tammy: Thank you for selecting Pacifica Law Group LLP to provide legal services to the City of Kent (the City in connection with its B&O tax. As in the case of previous engagements, the principal factors in determining our fees will be the time and effort devoted to the matter and the hourly rates of the lawyers and paralegals involved. the City on this matters, but we assign other firm lawyers and paralegals when necessary, beneficial or cost-effective and when desirable to meet the time constraints of the matter. Our public hourly rates for certain Pacifica attorneys are attached to this letter. These rates reflect the discount off standard rates we customarily offer public and not-for-profit clients. Billing rates may be adjusted not more frequently than annually, usually on January 1. Services performed after the effective date of the new rates will be charged at the new applicable rates. We do not charge for costs incurred internally (photocopying, long distance telephone charges, electronic legal research services and the like). However, to the extent we incur costs from outside vendors directly related to your work, these costs will be passed through to you without mark-up. We issue invoices for our hourly fees and any disbursements on a monthly basis. You can reach me at the office at 206.245.1700. As lawyers, we are of course regulated by ethical rules, including rules governing conflicts of interest, in the jurisdictions in which we practice. Based on our review of our records and the information you have provided regarding adverse or potentially adverse parties, the representation of the City on this matter does not create a conflict of interest for Pacifica. Please let me know immediately if there are other adverse or potentially adverse party names to check, or other names that you believe we should check. If you learn about significant name changes of any of the entities or about additional adverse or potentially adverse parties, please advise us so our records can be updated. Our representation of the City does not include acting as March 15, 2022 Page 2 counsel for any entity in which the City holds equity or any subsidiary, affiliate, equityholder, employee, family member or other person unless such additional representation is separately and clearly undertaken by us. During our representation of the City on this matter, there may from time to time be issues that raise questions as to our duties under the rules of professional conduct that apply to lawyers. These might include, e.g., conflict of interest issues, and could even include issues raised because of a dispute between us and a client over the handling of a matter. Under normal circumstances when such issues arise we would seek the advice of our Professional Standards Counsel, Loss Prevention partners or Professional Standards Conflicts Attorneys who are experts in such matters. Historically, we have considered such consultations to be attorney-client privileged conversations between firm personnel and the counsel for the firm. In recent years, however, there have been judicial decisions indicating that under some circumstances such conversations involve a conflict be privileged, unless the attorney either withdraws from the representation of the client or obtains the cl event legal ethics or related issues arise during a representation, we receive expert analysis of our obligations. Accordingly, as part of our agreement concerning our representation of the City, you agree that if we determine in our own discretion during the course of the representation that it is either necessary or appropriate to consult with our firm counse internal counsel or, if we choose, outside counsel) we have your consent to do so and that our representation of you shall not, thereby, waive any attorney-client privilege that Pacifica Law Group may have to protect the confidentiality of our communications with counsel. This letter confirms the terms and conditions on which Pacifica Law Group LLP will provide legal services to the City. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the terms of this letter will also apply to any additional matters that we undertake at the City understanding, please sign and date a copy of this letter and promptly return it to me. If you have any questions about this letter or generally about our services or bills, please call me at any time. March 15, 2022 Page 3 We look forward to working with you on this matter and thank you for placing your confidence in Pacifica Law Group. Sincerely yours, PACIFICA LAW GROUP LLP Deanna Gregory Partner ACCEPTED AND AGREED: CITY OF KENT Name: Tammy White Title: Deputy City Attorney Date: Enclosure FEE SCHEDULE Hourly Work.Our 2022 public sector rates for work billed on an hourly basis are below. Hourly rates are subject to annual adjustment. Name 2022 Jessica Skelton (procurement, public works, construction) $420 Deanna Gregory 400 Jamie Lisagor 350 Toby Tobler 260