Listing Summary

City of Dawson Georgia

REQUEST for PROPOSAL and QUALIFICATIONS
for CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES

I. PURPOSE

The City of Dawson is requesting proposals and qualifications for City Attorney
services from firms experienced in municipal law.

II. BACKGROUND

The City of Dawson, located in Terrell County Georgia, with a population
of 4400 and an area of approximately 3 square miles governed by a City Council composed of a Mayor and six (6) Council persons. The city has a strong City Manager form of Government

    Historically the City has retained a private firm or firms to provide City Attorney
    and court services. 

III. PROCESS

The City Council will review proposals and qualifications of submitting firms and if
necessary, conduct interviews of all or a few of the firms. Upon the decision of the
City Council the firm will be appointed to provide City Attorney services.

IV. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Responses must include complete information as described in this request. Six

       (6) copies shall be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on September 1, 2022

                               Roxie Powell

City Clerk
City of Dawson
P.O. Box 190

101 South Main St.

Dawson, Georgia 39842

1. To ensure fairness and uniformity, firms submitting responses are requested to
   not contact City staff or the City Council. Questions about this RFP may be

            sent by e-mail to roxie.powell@cityofdawson.org   prior to the submission.

1. The City will not reimburse any expenses incurred by the firm submitting
   responses including, but not limited to, expenses associated with the
   preparation and submission of the response and attendance at interviews.

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1. The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to request additional
   information from any and all Proposers.

V. REQUIRED CONTENTS OF RESPONSE

A. Firm Background:

               1.      Brief history of firm

1. Number of attorneys, including number of partners and associates and
   areas of specialty

               3.     Support personnel: number and expertise

               4.     Office organization and support capabilities

               5.     Office location(s)

1. Current use of technology, especially capability for computerized legal
   research and for sharing and editing documents electronically.
2. Statement of any malpractice claims and/or ethics complaints taken
   against your firm or firm's attorney(s) over the last five years and the
   status or outcomes of such action. Indicate whether any action is
   pending or is currently under review by the State Ethics Board.

 

1. Describe malpractice insurance: Carrier, exemptions, limits and special conditions.

B. Attorney Qualifications:

 

carrier, limits, and

 

 

 

1. Identify the specific attorney who will serve as the lead attorney and
   indicate the following:

• Academic training and degrees
• Description of background and experience
• Description of prior municipal experience including cities served in a
  similar capacity
• List of litigation in communities where designated attorney served as
  lead attorney and outcomes of litigation

1. Identify attorney who will serve in the lead attorney's absence, and
   provide information as requested in No. 1 above.
2. Identify other attorneys and support staff who will supply services for
   which the city will be charged.
3. Indicate current responsibilities of person designated to serve as lead
   attorney.

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1.    List of cities you currently represent and what types of service.
2. List of cities you began representing in the last three years and cities you
   stopped representing in the last three years.
3. Names, telephone numbers, and contact person of at least five (5) clients
   references, at least two (2) of which shall be cities.
4. Description of the firm's view of their responsibilities to the City in the
   provision of legal services.
5. Copy of Malpractice/liability Insurance Certificate in a minimum amount of
   $1,000,000.

H. Conflict of Interest:

1. Indicate whether designated lead attorneys or the law firm represent, or
   have represented, any client whose representation may conflict with
   your ability to provide legal services to the City.
2. Indicate whether designated lead attorneys or the law firm currently
   represent any real estate developers. If so, please identify those
   companies or persons in detail and provide a percentage breakdown of
   how much this work represents of your firm's total billings.
3. Indicate whether designated lead attorneys or the law firm currently
   represents any other local units of government having jurisdiction
   within, or contiguous to, the City of Dawson.
4. Identify what procedures your firm utilizes to identify and resolve
   conflicts of interest.

           I.       Fees:

1. Firms desiring to be considered for City Attorney services shall indicate
   the hourly rate for City Attorney and other attorneys and support staff
   that may be working on City business.
2. Firms shall indicate all other costs and reimbursables including meeting
   attendance, travel (per mile), telephone, printing, photocopying, etc.
3. Firms shall indicate the minimum increment of time billed for each
   service including phone calls, correspondence and personal
   conferences.

VI.       City Attorney Services Requirements

       Following are the primary responsibilities:
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1. Attend City Council meetings and other meetings as requested by the
   City Council or City Clerk.
2. Draft and/or review ordinances, resolutions, and correspondence, as
   requested.
3. City administers and enforces the building & fire codes mandated by the state. Provide knowledge your firm possess of codes, zoning and other property matters.
4. Advise the Mayor, Council Members, and City Clerk on city
   legal matters.
5. Prepare and/or review municipal contracts, such as contracts for public
   improvements, joint powers of agreements, construction, and purchase
   of equipment.
6. Represent City in matters related to the enforcement of City ordinances/
   codes.
7. Research and submit legal opinions on municipal or other legal matters,
   as requested by Mayor and Council or City Clerk and City Manager.
8. Meet with the City Council, City Clerk and City Manager as needed to
   review status of all legal matters before the City.
9. Provide legal briefings as requested to City Council and Staff regarding
   new or proposed legislation affecting municipal operations and
   activities.
10. Provide written update on new State or Federal legislation or judicial
    decisions impacting the city and suggested action or changes in
    operations or procedures to assure compliance.
11. Provide advice on open meeting law, data practice, records retention
    and privacy issues.
12. Represent the City in employment related issues, arbitration,
    administrative hearings and in litigation involving same, contracts
    and negotiations.
13. Interpret and advise with respect to municipal employment matters
    including, but not limited to, ADA, personnel policy, FLSA, Veterans'
    Preference, unemployment compensation.
14. Defend City in litigation (except in those cases where insurance
    companies are required to provide defense) including, but not limited to,
    1) human rights claims; 2) condemnation; 3) permits and administrative
    actions; and 4) employment matters.

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15.  Defend City in uninsured claims and other insurance matters.

1. In coordination with Bond Counsel, review of financing, special
   assessments, bonds and insurance requirements required by or for City
   contracts or activities.
2. Represent City in the acquisition of properties for public improvements,
   easements, and parks.
3. Represent City in condemnation proceedings for public improvement
   projects.

19.  Represent City in workers' compensation matters.

20.  Initiate litigation on behalf of City as requested by City Council.

21.  Interpret and advise regarding State land use statutes and City Code.

1. Interpret and advise regarding laws relating to Comprehensive Plans
   and approvals.

23.  Interpret and advise regarding impact fees and legal uses.

24.  Advise and represent the city on environmental matters.

1. Prepare and/or review the following as requested by City Council,
   Clerk and City Manager:

1. Vacation of Rights-of-way
2. Special Assessments
3. Business Subsidy Agreements
4. Development Agreements

26.  Knowledge and experience with Tribal Law

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. The City of Dawson reserves the right to cancel or amend the request for
   proposals at any time. The City reserves the right to determine the
   successful respondent. The City reserves the right to reject any or
   all proposals.
2. The City of Dawson will not be liable for any costs incurred by the firm
   responding to this request.
3. The firm shall not assign any interest in this proposal and shall not transfer any
   interest in the same without the prior written consent of the City of Dawson.

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1. For the purposes of this agreement, the consultant shall be deemed to be an
   independent contractor, and not an employee of the organization. Any and all
   agents, servants, or employees of the firm or other persons, while engaged in the
   performance of any work or services required to be performed by the City of Dawson under this agreement, shall not be considered employees of the City and any and all actions which arise as a consequence of any act or omission on the part of the firm, its agents, servants, employees or other persons shall in no way be the obligation or responsibility of the City. The consultant, its agents, servants, or employees shall be entitled to none of the rights, privileges, or benefits of organization employees except as otherwise may be stated herein.
2. No official or employee of the City of Dawson who exercises any responsibilities
   in the review, approval or carrying out of the proposal shall participate in any
   decision which affects his or her direct or indirect personal or financial interest.

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