HomeMy WebLinkAbout*AGMT - Ferguson, Praet & Sherman City of Seal Beach
FILE REFERENCE FORM
DATE: 1— (7 " 20 Initials: \.V
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LAW OFFICES
FERGUSON. PRAET 8c SHERMAN
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
1631 EAST 18TH STREET
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92705
TELEPHONE (714) 953 -5300
FAX (714) 953 -1143
ATTORNEY SERVICES AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, the City of Seal Beach (hereafter "City ") incurs costs when providing
emergency services in response to incidents proximately caused by persons under the influence of
an alcoholic beverage or drugs; and
WHEREAS, Government Code § § 53150 et seq., expressly provide that such persons
shall be liable in contract to the public entity for the providing of such emergency services up to
One - Thousand Dollars ($1,000,000) per incident; and
WHEREAS, City desires assistance in the institution of appropriate proceedings to
recovery the costs of providing such emergency services; and
WHEREAS, the Law Firm of Ferguson, Praet & Sherman, a Professional Corporation
(hereafter "Law Firm ") specializes in representing public entities in police and fire litigation and
has an operative program designed to facilitate the recovery of such costs on behalf of the city.
NOW, THEREFORE, FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF THE MUTUAL
PROMISES, COVENANTS AND CONDITIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, IT IS MUTUALLY
AGREED BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO AS FOLLOWS:
1. City retains Law Firm to represent its interests in the recovery of reasonable
emergency expenses incurred in the response to incidents proximately caused by persons under
the influence of an alcoholic beverage or drugs as such cases are provided to Law Firm by the
City.
2. In such cases, City agrees that its authorized employees shall cooperate fully
and directly with Law Firm in providing reports and other information necessary to prosecute any
legal action to recovery such costs.
3. Law Firm agrees to advance all reasonable and necessary costs for the
advancement of any such action. Any costs advanced by Law Firm shall be deducted from the
gross settlement or recovery of each case.
4. Law Firm shall receive a FEE of one -third (1/3) of the net recovery of all amounts
recovered, in any manner, whether by way of settlement, judgement or otherwise.
5. While Law Firm agrees to extend its best efforts to recover the allowable amount
in each case, it is recognized that any representations or guarantees as to the ultimate outcome of
any litigation, and all expressions relative thereto are matters of opinion only.
6. It is further recognized by the parties that circumstances may in certain cases
and from time to time disclose that continued prosecution of a case may not be cost effective.
Law Firm therefore retains full discretion and authority to withdraw from any case or, upon notice
to the City , dismiss any such action initiated on behalf of City.
7. City also retains full discretion to instruct and cause Law Firm, upon written
notice, to dismiss any action initiated on its behalf. If, however, City discharges Law Firm on any
or all cases commenced by Law Firm, City agrees to give a lien against any and all proceeds
which might ultimately be paid by way of settlement, judgment, award or otherwise arising from
the matter Law Firm was handling for City.
8. City expressly agrees to give Law Firm full authority to negotiate, settle or
compromise any such case initiated on behalf of City.
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9. City agrees and extends to Law Firm the right to endorse a check, draft or other
instrument for the payment of money, in the name of or on the behalf of the City and to retain
Law Firm's share and sums out of any money received by settlement, judgement or otherwise.
10. City authorizes Law Firm to employ the services of investigators, collection
agencies, attorney services or other reasonable services whose fees shall be chargeable as an
advanced cost.
11. Law Firm agrees to establish a separate trust fund on behalf of City for the deposit
and distribution of all fees and amounts in accordance with the terms of this agreement. Such
funds shall be disbursed at reasonable intervals in accordance with the volume and progress of
cases handled by Law Firm on behalf of the City.
12. Law Firm agrees to provide City with periodic written progress reports and City
retains the right to review the files and accounts of Law Firm on those cases commenced
pursuant to this Agreement.
13. This writing shall constitute the entire Agreement between the parties with respect
to the subject matter hereof and this Agreement shall commence upon the execution of authorized
representatives of each party hereto.
Dated: 71j� -/ 9 CITY OF J-01 h
By: Id L Aiaebtoc
Title: II �! - �f •
Dated: i 1 1(, J q \ FERGUSON, PRAET & SHERMAN
A Professional Corporation
B - . --•■■".CD
By: �
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EXHIBIT A
The agreement between the Law Firm of Ferguson, Praet & Sherman and the City of Seal
Beach for D.U.I. Cost Recovery Program shall be terminated upon 30 days written notice
by either party.
Dated: I l 1 CITY OF Ad 1_,,,t h
By: A/Aid Vda
Title: / . �' L, -1/
Dated: 1 11(p t "1 ° l FERGUSON, PRAET & SHERMAN
A Professional Corporation
By: 1 Ls
By: V ? .�