title
RETENTION OF OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL FOR UTILITIES BOND, BOND DISCLOSURE AND FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS (NB)
recommendation
The City Commission authorize Broad and Cassel, Holland & Knight, and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP, to represent the City in bond, bond disclosure and other financial transactions for the Gainesville Regional Utilities System as specified in retention letters issued by the Office of the City Attorney.
explanation
In March 2014, the City Utilities Attorney invited eleven law firms to participate in a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process in order to retain utilities bond and bond disclosure counsel for the Gainesville Regional Utilities system. The eleven firms were invited to participate based on the depth and relevancy of their experience in representing public entities in bond and financial transactions and the ability and capacity of the firm to handle multiple areas of legal expertise that often arise in bond and financial transactions. Ten law firms expressed interest in participating in the RFP process.
From March 26 to April 14, 2014, Mark Benton, the City's Finance Director and Shayla McNeill, the Utilities Attorney, conducted telephonic interviews with the ten law firms. Also present for many of the telephonic interviews were Linda Vaughn, GRU Investments, and Joann Dorval, GRU Purchasing Manager. Upon completion of the interviews, the Utilities Attorney selected the three most highly qualified law firms based on relevant experience with utility bond issuance and disclosure and cost effective rates. In addition, the selected firms value and support diversity as follows:
Broad and Cassel actively encourages and seeks out highly qualified minority candidates and participates in forums specifically geared toward attracting minority candidates. The firm's stated belief is that by recruiting, hiring, and promoting people of different cultures, backgrounds, beliefs and preferences, the quality of work life is improved. The firm's diversity efforts have been recognized, as it was ranked 20th overall in the 2011 "Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity" in MultiCultural Law Magazine and was also recognized in 2012 as 1st in the "Top 25 Law Firms for Hispanic-Americans" listing and 17th in the "Top 100 Law Firms for Wome" listing.
Holland & Knight has a firm-wide Diversity Council, Affinity Groups, local office Diversity Committees, mentoring programs and other diversity-related programs and initiatives. The firm's 20-member Diversity Council oversees its diversity initiatives and programs, provides support for diversity-related charitable and community organizations, and explores avenues for increasing diversity among suppliers and business partners. The firm's seven Affinity Groups (African American Affinity Group; Asian/Pacific Islander Affinity Group; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Affinity Group; Hispanic Affinity Group; Native American Affinity Group; Women's Initiative; The Rising Stars Program; and the Veterans Affinity Group) help to sustain an environment that is inclusive and supportive, which fosters both personal and professional success. The firm's standing Diversity Committees devise and implement programs and community outreach unique to their locations. The leaders of the local Diversity Committees meet regularly with the Diversity Partner to discuss issues and share information on their various events, sponsorships and best practices.
Since 1990, Orrick's Diversity and Inclusion Committee has advised management on a broad range of initiatives to ensure that Orrick is successful in hiring, retaining and promoting diverse lawyers. The firm's diversity and inclusion committees are actively involved in the firm's recruiting efforts, orientation, summer program, training and mentoring programs, and pro bono and community activities. Diverse lawyers play an integral role in managing the firm as members of the firm's board, office and practice group leaders, and committee chairs. Orrick's diversity program includes: Affinity Groups; Mentoring Program; Women's Initiative and Lean In Circles; Diversity Liaisons to Each Practice Group's Associate Review Committee; Unconscious Bias Training for All Partners and Of Counsel; Alternative Work Schedule Policy and On-Ramping Program; Custom Track Options; Pipeline Initiatives to Support Diverse Youth; Paid Membership in Diverse Professional Associations; Associate Development Benchmarks and Career Guidance Counselors; and Supplier Diversity Program. The firm was ranked 16th overall in the 2011 'Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity' in MultiCultural Law Magazine.
The Office of the City Attorney will enter into standard form retention letters with Broad and Cassel for disclosure counsel services; with Holland & Knight for bond and disclosure counsel services; and with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP, for bond and disclosure counsel. The rates quoted by these firms represent a significant savings to Gainesville Regional Utilities. The rates will be specified in the retention letters as hourly rates for certain services and fixed rates for many bond and financial transactions.
fiscal note
Funding for the bond counsel services and disclosure counsel services will be paid from GRU budgeted funds.