HomeMy WebLinkAbout6I(1)SOPKO, NUSSBAUM, INABNIT & KACZMAAEK
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
RICHARD A. NUSSBAUM, II*
BRENT E. INABNIT **
MATTHEW R. KACZMAREK
JOSHUA A. VISSER
KEVIN E. WARREN
NICHOLAS J. DERDA
'ALSO ADMITTED IN MICHIGAN
"ALSO ADMITTED IN ILLINOIS
Mr. Charles Leone
Corporate Counsel
City of South Bend
14th Floor
County -City Building
South Bend, IN 46601
5TH FLOOR - PLAZA BUILDING
210 S. MICHIGAN STREET - P.O. BOX 300 OF COUNSEL
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 46624 THOMAS C. SOPKO
TELEPHONE (574) 234 -3000 RONALD J. JAICOMO
FACSIMILE (574) 234 -4220
E -MAIL ADDRESS: SNI ®SNI- LAW.COM
May 18, 2011
Re: Outside Counsel Engagement
Dear Chuck and Jeff-
Mr. Jeff Gibney
Director of the Department of
Community and Economic Development
12th Floor
County -City Building
South Bend, IN 46601
The purpose of this letter is to supplement my previous engagement letters of October 5,
2010, March 4, 2009 and June 13, 2008. I am very pleased to help with legal issues involving the
Department of Community and Economic Development. I know both the Mayor and Jeff have many
ambitious goals regarding economic development initiatives to be completed by the end of this year.
My role will be to assist them in meeting these goals in conjunction with the fine work done by the
Legal Department of the City of South Bend.
Pursuant to I.C. 36- 4- 9- 11(10), the City may not employ attorneys without the authorization
of the Head of the Department of Law. Accordingly, I am providing this engagement letter to Chuck
for his review and approval. I anticipate working very closely with the Department of Law in
fulfilling my obligations to the Community and Economic Development Department. I understand
the projects which I will be assigned to will be approved on a case -by -case basis by the City
Attorney. It is my intention to leverage my experiences in City and State government to assist the
many talented professionals in the Department of Law and the Department of Community and
Economic Development.
We believe that it is important in a good working relationship that financial matters are made
clear at the outset. Our fees for professional services are based on the actual time spent. Our invoices
will contain detailed daily records of each task performed, who performed it, and how much time
was spent during the billing cycle. Out of pocket disbursements made by the firm will be billed at
actual cost. Copy and fax services provided by our staff is charged at a standard rate and will be
itemized. Although I plan to be the primary attorney providing services in this matter, I am providing
you the hourly billing rate of the attorneys from our firm who may perform services as well:
May 18, 2011
Page 2
Richard A. Nussbaum, II
$250.00
Brent E. Inabnit
$250.00
Matthew R. Kaczmarek
$225.00
Joshua A. Visser
$150.00
Kevin E. Warren
$150.00
Nicholas J. Derda
$150.00
Thomas C. Sopko
$275.00
Ronald J. Jaicomo
$225.00
These rates will not be adjusted without written authorization, and we have agreed our fees
will not exceed the sum of $60,000 without further authorization from you. We normally send bills
monthly.
Thank you for taking the time to consider our firm. Please feel free to contact me with any
questions or comments relative to this letter.
Sincerely,
r
Richard A. Nussbaum, II
Dickngsni- law.com
RAN /sc
I have reviewed the terms and conditions of this engagement letter on behalf of the City of
South Bend, and by signing reflect our agreement with its terms and conditions.
Charles Leone
Corporation Counsel for the City of South Bend
Jeff Gibney
Director of the Department of Community
and Economic Development
PAWP51 \DOC \Gibney \! ! ! ltrs