RFP Specs - Town Attorney 2025.pdf.crdownload

TOWN OF ENFIELD

820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut 06082

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

FOR

TOWN ATTORNEY

November 19, 2025

Sealed proposals for the service named above will be received at the office of the Director of Finance until 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 19, 2025. Thereafter, proposals will be opened in public and the names of those submitting proposals read aloud or opened and read aloud pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Governor’s Executive Orders.

Specifications and proposal documents may be obtained from Matthew Coppler at telephone number (860) 253-6350 or the Town’s website, www.enfield-ct.gov/bids.aspx.

The Town of Enfield reserves the right to accept or reject any, all, or any part of proposals, to waive formalities or informalities, and to make an award that is deemed to be in the best interests of the Town.

The Town is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Disadvantaged, minority, small and women-owned business enterprises are encouraged to respond.

John A. Wilcox Director of Finance

EOE/AA

TOWN OF ENFIELD, CONNECTICUT

STANDARD INSTRUCTIONS

PURPOSE: The Town of Enfield is seeking proposals from qualified attorneys (or small firm) to provide legal services to the Town to fill the term of Town Attorney from date of appointment through December 31, 2027. This position, which is compensated annually between $75,000 - $110,000 (based on experience), may lead to subsequent Council appointments. No other benefits are offered with this position.

1. Interested attorneys should submit a proposal in accordance with the requirements and directions herein.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES: The Town Attorney will provide legal representation in court and legal advice to the Town Council and administration on a variety of matters pertaining to all aspects of Town governance. Examples of legal services would include review of proposed ordinances and regulations, review and interpretation of state and federal law, enforcement of municipal code, representation in claims and suits initiated by the Town, all other matters typically associated with the operation of the Town, and other services as directed by the Town Council.

Attendance at Town Council meetings (first and third Mondays) and other meetings as requested will be required.

3. REQUIRED INFORMATION: The following information shall be submitted:

a. A background statement including the name of the individual/firm, capabilities, history, legal education, professional experience, and other general introductory information.

b. A strong background in Connecticut Statutes relating to municipal governance law and relevant state regulations is required. A statement of qualifications to include prior experience in legal matters associated with municipal code enactment and enforcement, planning and zoning issues, and issues that have the potential to come before a Town Council. Per the Town Charter the Town Attorney shall be an attorney admitted to practice law in the state of Connecticut for a minimum of five

(5) years.

c. A summary of areas of associated experience including the types of services provided to past and present governmental entities include but are not limited to:

(Note: Legal services sought by the Town may, or may not, include the following at any particular point in time. Respondents must clearly indicate which services described below can be provided by Respondent and which services Respondent would seek the services of alternate counsel.)

1. Meetings. Includes attendance at Town Council meetings and other meetings of Committees or Commissions (especially Executive Sessions) as needed. Please consult the Town’s website for the schedule of Council and other agencies meetings.

2. General Legal. Includes all other matters typically associated with municipal government operations and other services as may be directed by the Town Council and Town Manager. Effective verbal and written communication skills are essential since information must be readily understood by elected and appointed officials, Town staff and the public.

3. Contract/document. Review and drafting of contracts and documents, ordinance drafting, charter and statute interpretations, legal opinions.

Familiarity with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and real estate transactions.

4. Litigation. Ability to manage/conduct/oversee litigation in all courts (state and federal/trial and appellate). Not often needed for trial work except in the event of a very significant legal matter. An hourly litigation rate may be negotiated.

5. General Employment. Includes all aspects of employment law from recruitment to termination as well as collective bargaining support/expertise, arbitration, managing grievance procedures/appeals, discrimination in the workplace claims, pension and benefit administration and drafting policies and procedures such as employee handbooks.

Constitutional Law experience is desirable. The Town reserves the right to retain outside labor counsel in any matter at their sole discretion.

6. Criminal Law. Advise Police Department on proper police operating procedures when necessary.

7. Administrative Legal Matters. Familiarity and experience with administrative substance, process, and hearings including, but not limited to, FOIC, Tax, Land Use. Familiarity with environmental and natural resource regulation, including the management and regulation of solid waste, hazardous waste, water, air and other forms of pollution, zoning, planning, inland wetlands laws, zoning board of appeals, and regulations and managing administrative appeals associated with same; working with agencies in preparing and drafting administrative decisions.

d. A description of how legal services will be supplied to the Town and general approach to serving as the Town’s attorney and how these services would be billed.

e. A list of references identifying other governmental entities that have been represented by the law firm or individual in the last five (5) years.

f. A listing of grievances, with the outcome, against the law firm or individual attorney within the past ten (10) years.

g. Evidence the attorney is a member of the Connecticut Bar and fully qualified to practice law in all the courts of Connecticut.

h. Insurance:

Provider shall agree to maintain in force at all times during the contract the following minimum coverages. Insurance shall be written with Carriers approved in the State of Connecticut and with a minimum AM Best's Rating of "A" VIII. In addition, all Carriers are subject to approval by the Town of Enfield. Minimum Limits:

• Commercial General Liability Each Occurrence $1,000,000, $2,000,000

Aggregate. Town of Enfield shall be named as an Additional Insured on a primary non-contributory basis for ongoing and completed operations. Waiver of Subrogation to be provided.

• Auto Liability Combined Single Limit $1,000,000 for all owned, hired, and non-owned vehicles for property damage and liability. Town of Enfield shall be named as an Additional Insured.

• Umbrella/Excess Liability $1,000,000 and $1,000,000 Aggregate. General Liability, Auto Liability, Professional Liability and Workers' Compensation to be listed as underlying coverages. Umbrella/Excess Liability to follow form with respect to Additional Insured and Waiver of Subrogation.

• Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions coverage to be provided with a $1,000,000 limit per claim and $1,000,000 annual aggregate.

• Workers' Compensation - For all the employees employed on said Work shall be maintained in accordance with Connecticut's Workers' Compensation Act.

Waiver of Subrogation to be provided.

• A thirty (30) day Notice of Cancellation applies for the Town of Enfield.

If any policy is written on a "Claims Made" basis, the policy must be continually renewed for a minimum of two (2) years from the completion date of this contract.

If the policy is replaced and/or the retroactive date is changed, then the expiring policy must be endorsed to extend the reporting period for claims for the policy in effect during the contract for two (2) years from the completion date.

4. SUBMISSION: One (1) original and eleven (11) copies of all proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked “RFP for Town Attorney”. If forwarded by mail or courier, the sealed envelope must be addressed to “Director of Finance, Town of Enfield, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield Connecticut 06082”. Proposals must be at the office of the Director of Finance by the time of the Public Proposal Opening date, 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 19, 2025. Postmarks are NOT an acceptable waiver of this policy. Corrections and/or modifications received after the first proposal is publicly opened will not be accepted.

Questions regarding this request, or any clarifications thereof, should be directed to Matthew Coppler, Town Manager, at (860) 253-6350.

5. SELECTION PROCESS: The Town Attorney Review Committee will recommend to the

Town Council candidates to be interviewed. Town Council will conduct interviews with the selected candidates. The selection will occur no later than the January 30, 2026 Town Council meeting.

6. AWARDING THE PROPOSAL: The Town of Enfield reserves the right to accept or reject, any, all or any part of proposals, to waive formalities or informalities, and to make an award that is deemed to be in the best interests of the Town. It is the Town’s policy to not award to those who owe Town of Enfield prior year(s) property taxes.

7. FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES: The Respondent agrees not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment in the performance of this proposal’s work with respect to hire, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment due to race, sex, age, religion, national origin, or other condition proscribed by State or Federal law.