Subject:
Title
Special Counsel Legal Services Agreement with Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP for legal services with a focus on large scale real estate transactions and development projects on behalf of public entities.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the County Administrator of the Special Counsel Legal Services Agreement with Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP for legal services with a focus on large scale real estate transactions and development projects on behalf of public entities.
• Agreement provides legal assistance with large scale development and negotiations of downtown Clearwater properties sales or leases.
• This Agreement has a maximum allowable amount of fees, expense or costs of any kind, not to exceed $150,000.00, without the express written consent of the County or amendment for additional phases as described in Exhibit A of the Agreement.
• Funding outside counsel services is included in the General Government section of the FY26 General Fund budget.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
N/A
Summary:
This Agreement is to supplement the legal support provided by the County Attorney’s Office. Bilzin Sumberg LLP, and Eric Singer, Esq. particularly, has significant background in negotiating and contracting for large scale development on behalf of Florida public entities selling or leasing property for such development. This Agreement has a not to exceed contract amount of $150,000.00 for phases I & II. Phases III & IV (if necessary) will be subject to Board of County Commissioners approval by amendment to this proposed agreement.
Background/Explanation:
This Agreement is to supplement the legal support provided by the County Attorney’s Office. Bilzin Sumberg LLP, and Eric Singer, Esq. particularly, has significant background in negotiating and contracting for large scale development on behalf of Florida public entities selling or leasing property for such development. This Agreement has a not to exceed contract amount of $150,000.00 for phases I & II. Phases III & IV (if necessary) will be subject to Board of County Commissioners approval by amendment to this proposed agreement.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding outside counsel services is included in the General Government section of the FY26 General Fund budget.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(2).
Staff Member Responsible:
Barry A. Burton, County Administrator
Don Crowell, Chief Assistant County Attorney
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Legal Services Agreement between Pinellas County and Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP.