Item Description:
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Amendments and Agreements with eight (8) Adult Representation Services (ARS) legal representation contracts for 2026
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendment 2 to Agreement PR00005648 with Buettner Law Group, LLC to provide legal services to individuals experiencing poverty in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court, extending the contract end date to December 31, 2026 and increasing the contract amount by $156,000 to a new not to exceed total of $436,800 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Amendment 2 to Agreement PR00005646 with Anne M. Carlson Law Office, LLC to provide legal services to individuals experiencing poverty in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court, extending the contract end date to December 31, 2026 and increasing the contract amount by $104,000 to a new not to exceed total of $291,200 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Amendment 2 to Agreement PR00005649 with Colich & Associates to provide legal services to individuals experiencing poverty in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court, extending the contract end date to December 31, 2026 and increasing the contract amount by $104,000 to a new not to exceed total of $291,200 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Amendment 2 to Agreement PR00005647 with E Murphy Law Offices, PLLC to provide legal services to individuals experiencing poverty in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court, extending the contract end date to December 31, 2026 and increasing the contract amount by $104,000 to a new not to exceed total of $291,200 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Amendment 2 to Agreement PR00005645 with Solution-Focused Family Law, LLC to provide legal services to individuals experiencing poverty in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court, extending the contract end date to December 31, 2026 and increasing the contract amount by $156,000 to a new not to exceed total of $436,800 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00006788 with Douglas F. McGuire Law Office to provide legal services to individuals experiencing poverty in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court, extending the contract date through December 31, 2026 and increasing the contract amount by $52,000 in an amount not to exceed $156,000 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Agreement PR00007921 with Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance to provide immigration representation to Hennepin County residents who qualify and are facing deportation proceedings during January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $175,000 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Agreement PR00007884 with Indian Child Welfare Law Center to provide legal services to individuals experiencing poverty in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court who are entitled to legal representation at public expense, during January 1, 2026 through to December 31, 2026 for $144,000 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign these Agreements and Amendments on behalf of the County, and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
ARS provides legal representation to parents in child protection and family court proceedings, and individuals facing guardianship and civil commitment actions. When more than one person is a party to the proceeding or other issues arise that create a legal conflict of interest, the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct require that those cases be sent to outside counsel if an internal conflicts panel is not otherwise established. ARS does not currently have an internal conflicts panel. The contractors noted in resolution clauses 1-6 are outside independent conflict attorneys with expertise in representing parents in child protection and mental health commitment matters.
Regarding resolution clause 7, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance (MMLA) has been the contracted vendor to provide quality immigration legal representation to Hennepin County residents that qualify and are facing deportation proceedings. MMLA has strong expertise and credentialing in immigration law and demonstrates excellent collaboration with other community-based organizations.
Regarding resolution clause 8, Hennepin County has a long-standing contract history with the Indian Child Welfare Law Center (ICWLC) to provide culturally specific representation to Native American parents in child protection proceedings to further the goals of the Federal Indian Welfare Act. ARS manages the contract with ICWLC and partners with the center on initiatives impacting Native American families in child protection cases.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval