Civil_Rights_ITQ_Scope_of_Work.docx

Scope of Work Introduction The City of Pittsburgh, by and through the Law Department 9Department), is seeking to retain counsel (Outside Counsel) to provide legal advice and representation on an as-needed basis in situations in which the City Solicitor determines that the Department (1) does nto have adequate expertise to handle or advise on the matter; (2) does not have adequate personnel to handle or advise on the matter; or (3) has an actual conflict of interest.

The City may select more than one firm to provide as-needed legal services. No more than [number] attorneys and/or law firms total will e selected provided services for the specific area of law, and the successful proposers will be used, as specified above, on a rotating basis. Proposers providing legal services must be qualified and licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Scope of Services A. Area of Law. Outside Counsel would perform general legal services (i.e., legal advice and representation) for civil rights defense and 42 U.S.C Section 1983 claims.

B. General Legal Services. Services must be performed as efficiently and expeditiously as possible. The services will be directed by the Office and may include some or all of the following:

i. Providing review, analysis and application of relevant law;

ii. Representing the City as a plaintiff or defendant in litigation;

iii. Preparing a litigation plan and budget;

iv. Compiling evidence and drafting demand letters, claim notices, and/or complaints;

v. Drafting and arguing responsive pleadings, pretrial motions and writ proceedings;

vi. Conducting discovery, both offensive and defensive;

vii. Interviewing and deposing witnesses;

viii. Engaging in trial preparation, including the retention of trial consultants and experts;

ix. Conducting trial as well as post-trial motions;

x. Handling appeals, interlocutory and post-trial;

xi. Representing the City in negotiation and settlement proceedings; and

xii. Participating in meetings, personal conferences, telephone conferences, discussions, and other communications and proceedings.

C. EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

i. Provide the following information about the individual attorney who will be primarily responsible for advising or representing the City (“Primary Attorney”): (i) education, (ii) employment history, (iii) experience in the civil litigation generally and 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 claims specifically, and (iv) experience advising or representing governmental agencies.

ii. Identify any other individuals with your firm who you anticipate would be involved in advising or representing the City and what those individuals’ roles would be with respect to advising the City. Provide a summary of each person’s:(i) education, (ii) employment history, and (iii) experience as described in Section 1. Be aware that for an engagement of this nature, the City expects to deal principally, if not exclusively, with the Primary Attorney.

iii. Describe any particular expertise your firm can provide with respect to advising the City for the legal services in Section A.

iv. Provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) representative clients, preferably public entity clients, for which the Primary Attorney or firm currently or has previously served as similar counsel.

v. Provide a statement of whether the Primary Attorney and the firm have litigated or settled any past claims related to providing similar services within the past ten (10) years, and whether they have any current claims pending against them related to providing similar services.

vi. Provide proof of insurance and coverage amounts for all legal malpractice and professional liability policies the firm carries.

vii. Provide a brief history of the firm. Disclose whether there have been any significant business developments within the past three years, such as mergers, restructuring, or changes in ownership. Provide a firm resume if one is readily available.

viii. Provide a brief description of the firm’s relevant practice areas.

ix. Provide a list of any relevant training, seminars, CLEs, special recognition, or publications attributable to the Primary Attorney.

D. COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The City seeks to enhance diversity in City contracts. Describe your firm’s commitment to diversity and your efforts to promote diversity. This may include your firm’s policies and procedures; initiatives and strategies to recruit, hire, train, and promote a diverse workforce; awards; in-house diversity programs; training. Describe your firm’s outreach efforts to provide opportunities available to all interested and qualified individuals, including a broader cross-section of the community. List current community activities such as membership and participation in diverse organizations, associations, scholarship programs, mentoring, internships, and community projects.

E. PRICING PAGE

Proposers shall state the names and positions of any individuals that will be involved in advising the City and the rate at which their time will be billed to the City. Please indicate the discount, if any, the City is receiving from each individual’s usual rate. Hourly rate shall be inclusive of all fees and costs of operations to provide the contract services, including but not limited to photocopying, support services, travel (at the GSA rates), lodging, and any other expenses incurred in the course of representing the City.