Subject:
Title
Selection of outside legal counsel to provide legal services related to potential opioid litigation.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Select outside counsel and authorize the County Attorney to negotiate the contract for legal services for potential opioid litigation.
Body
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Summary:
The Board previously directed the County Attorney to solicit for outside legal counsel to represent the County in potential litigation related to the Opioid Epidemic. On November 16, 2017, a Request for Letters of Interest was made through the Purchasing Department. Seven law firms, or consortiums of law firms, responded to the solicitation.
On January 10, 2018, an evaluation committee comprised of two attorneys from the Pinellas County Attorney’s Office, an attorney from St. Petersburg’s City Attorney’s Office, the Safety and Emergency Services Director, a Director from the Medical Examiner’s Office, and a Justice Program’s Analyst from Health and Human Services met to review and evaluate the responses received.
After a thorough and robust evaluation, the committee ranked the top two responses as follows:
(1) Levin Papantonio; and
(2) Motley Rice, LLC.
Background Information:
N/A
Fiscal Impact:
Unknown.
Staff Member Responsible:
Jewel White, County Attorney
Christy Donovan Pemberton, Managing Assistant County Attorney
Partners:
City of St. Petersburg
District Six Medical Examiner
Attachments:
Levin Papantonio letter of interest
Motley Rice letter of interest