Legal Interview Schedule
Agenda & Notes
Gadsden County Commission Chambers
9 East Jefferson St., Quincy, FL
May 6, 2014
Revised
Present: Eric Hinson, Chair, District 1
Brenda Holt, Vice-Chair, District 4 (absent)
Doug Croley, District 2
Gene Morgan, District 3
Sherrie Taylor, District 5
Robert Presnell, County Administrator
Arthur Lawson, Assistant County Administrator
Beryl Wood, Deputy Clerk
Chair Hinson called the meeting to order.
Applicants will be requested to remain in a waiting area until their scheduled interview time.
1. Bryant, Miller, Olive Christopher Roe 4:00 – 4:20 p.m.
Attorney Roe was present for Bryant, Miller, Olive he gave a brief summary of his company and explained he had helped the County with the Bond for the hospital. He said they are aware of Gadsden County and had worked with the County during that time. He explained they have worked with local governments. 2 levels of work – Bond and General Counsel, etc.
He said his proposal is that he would be lead counsel. He said set fee is for 40 hours of a retainer of $8,000. He all that their firm offers is available to the Board. He said they are efficient with the fees that they are requesting.
Commissioner Croley asked about experience with healthcare matters concerning the hospital.
Attorney Roe said the firm has excellent experience with hospital especially with finance and acquisitions, but not regulatory matters.
Commissioner Morgan asked about unique strength the law firm.
Attorney Roe said vast law experience. We cover everything with skill set.
Commissioner Taylor questioned the retainer anything outside of 40 hours you would billed. Do you have any other conflicts with any other municipalities or others in the County?
Attorney Roe said they could negotiate the hours on retainer. He said he has worked with Greensboro with water, annexation, City of Quincy and Havana.
Chair Hinson asked would he be honest and tell the truth.
Attorney Roe said yes he would.
Commissioner Croley questioned the qualifications evaluation form. What are the hours reflected.
Mr. Lawson said the numbers measure a year’s time, general number of hours being billed.
Commissioner Morgan asked could we ask cost and fees are they negotiable.
Mr. Lawson said all is negotiable if considered with the Law firms.
2. Messer Caparello Robert Telfer, III 4:20 – 4:40 p.m.
Robert Telfer, Tom Findley, etc. gave brief history. He said they were a full service law firm with 21 Attorneys. You would get access to all expertise of the firm. He said they had been established for over 35 years. The firm has extensive experience in representing both public and private boards of directors, governmental agencies in litigation and would consider it a pleasure to work for Gadsden County.
Attorney Telfer said he would be designated as head attorney. He said their strength was within their diverse specializations.
Commissioner Croley questioned retainer fee there is none. Whatever work we do with Gadsden County.
Attorney Telfer said they would not bill for drive time. Whatever hours we work we do is all we bill for.
Bill Dillon has done limited amount of work for Bay County.
Commissioner Morgan asked about unique strength.
Attorney Telfer said their strengths are the attorneys are leaders. He named strength not to charge a retainer.
Chair Hinson asked would you be fair, firm and honest.
Attorney Telfer said they have a fresh pair of eyes to be fair and they would be honest.
3. Nabors Giblin & Nickerson Sarah Bleakley 4:40 – 5:00 p.m.
Sarah Bleakley our goal today is to briefly describe our firm. Lynn Hoshihara, former County Attorney (Walton County), Heather J. Encinosa (County Attorney Wakulla). Mark T. Mustian, former City Commissioner. She should they would be primarily assigned the responsibility for representation of the County with her as the designated County Attorney.
Mr. Mustian said NGN maintains offices in Tallahassee, Tampa, Fort Myers, and Fort Lauderdale. Its home office is in Tallahassee and the services provided in the representation of Gadsden County will be from this office. NGN, which currently has 25 attorneys, two of whom are of counsel, is divided into the following practice area: Local Government Law, Litigation and Appellate Law, Employment Law, Land Use and Real Estate Law, Public Utilities Law, Public Finance, Legislative Consulting and Special Financing.
Ms. Bleakley said they are the go to firm for governments in Florida. Gave Commissioners a book on local government law, there area of expertise. She said they bring knowledge of law, they are go to firm.
Commissioner Croley is Walton a charter.
Lynn Hoshihara said Walton County is not.
Commissioner Croley do you have experience with health care.
Attorney Mustian said he has pretty good understanding of the healthcare laws.
Commissioner Morgan discussed the uniqueness of Gadsden County.
Our strengths are in that area. Less expensive, familiar with the law, rural areas of opportunity. We know all the tricks and tools working with constrained re
Commissioner Taylor asked was she also the Lobbyist,
Attorney Bleakley said she does work with Mr. Doolin in lobbying for the county for the past six years. She also named the Florida Association of Counties, Florida State Hospital, etc. I have never served as an actual County Attorney, but said she was a Lawyers lawyer.
Commissioner Holt arrived at this juncture.
Commissioner Taylor questioned the availability. Timely and effectiveness.
Bleakley said she is available and if something happens she has staff.
Commissioner Holt said the experience is great. Projects, economic development. Rate looks good.
Chair Hinson asked would be fair and honest.
Ms. Bleakley said that’s her obligation.
4. Ausley McMullen David Weiss 5:00 – 5:20 p.m.
David Weiss said they were honored to represent the County for the past 5 years and would look forward to continue to serve the BOCC.
Commissioner Croley asked for the law firm background. How negotiable on the rates.
We consist of 40 attorneys with 80 year history and very diverse. We practice in all areas of expertise. They have good experience in representing school boards and local governments. The only County that they serve as County Attorney. We are willing to negotiable.
Commissioner Morgan thanked them for their service. He discussed the county’s uniqueness and the attorney’s unique strength.
Attorney Weiss responded with the continuity, very aware of current matters. We are understanding of the county and staff’s concerns.
Commissioner Taylor said some of her concerns were with timeliness. Bills far exceed what is on proposal. I have highest regards for firm. Looking at bottom line, is it included in the $110,000.
Mr. Weiss said the way change how they work. He would take lead and Deborah would work with him staying abreast with what’s going in the County. He said they would be willing to discuss the retainer hours.
Michael Glazer based rate does not include my services for hospital. Hospital work is down and not included in normal rate (monthly).
Commissioner Holt questioned the different facets they are involved. Looking for aggressiveness, what is out there for us to move forward?
Attorney Weiss said they only had one time where they had to conflict off of something within the 5 years of his knowledge.
Chair Hinson asked would they be fair and honest.
Attorney Weiss said their track record speaks for itself.
Commissioner Croley asked Mr. Glazer was he still willing and available if Law firms change would he continue to represent hospital.
Attorney Glazer said yes.
5. The William Law Group (Proposal Withdrawn)
This concluded the interviews for May 6, 2014.
Mr. Lawson said they could deliberate tonight and vote. He also advised they could deliberate and make their decision at the next meeting or later time. This meeting was advertised, so voting is possible.
Commissioner Morgan asked about narrowing down to two law firms.
Commissioner Croley all are good, two have favorable billing rates. He said he was respective to the will of the Board.
Chair Hinson said two of the firms have interest in Gadsden County. Effectiveness is important to him. He spoke in favor of Bryant, Miller, Olive with expertise.
Commissioner Morgan said last year’s legal cost of $128,000.
Commissioner Croley said sending email, shouldn’t be charged. Attorney works for Board. Whatever firm we go with, that issue should be settled.
Commissioner Croley agreed with Commissioner Morgan. Nabors second choice.
Commissioner Taylor said the process we must go through to receive adequate service. Two names. We need universal thought on what we need for County.
Commissioner Holt said all local organizations shouldn’t be represented by one firm. Questioned CDBG Grants. She has narrowed done to two firms. Have a plan on items that are before Board, do homework before meetings. She also she liked the idea of two firms.
Chair Hinson liked the directness of Bryant, Miller & Olive
Commissioner Morgan said the current law firm is conservative in nature. No problem with current firms. Progress of hospital should be important, healthcare is important.
Official nominations of BOCC
Croley – 3&4
Morgan – 3& 4
Taylor - 1& 3
Holt – 3&4
Hinson – 1&4
Two top firms: (3) Nabors Giblin & Nickerson & (4) Ausley McMullen
Motion Holt/Croley 5-0: that they proceed with further consideration of top two firms Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson Attorneys at Law; Ausley McMullen
Adjourn at 6:02pm