Item Description:
title
Amds and Agmts with nine Adult Representation Services (ARS) legal representation contracts for 2024
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreement PR00005646 with Anne M. Carlson Law Office, PLLC to provide legal services to individuals experiencing poverty in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court, during the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $83,200 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Agreement PR00005648 with Buettner Law Group LLC to provide legal services to individuals experiencing poverty in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court, during the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $124,800 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Agreement PR00005649 with Colich & Associates to provide legal services to individuals experiencing poverty in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court, during the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $83,200 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Agreement PR00005647 with E Murphy Law Offices, PLLC to provide legal services to individuals experiencing poverty in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court, during the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $83,200 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Agreement PR00005645 with Solution-Focused Family Law, LLC to provide legal services to individuals experiencing poverty in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District Court, during the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $124,800 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Agreement PR00005677 with Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance to provide immigration legal defense to Hennepin County residents who qualify and are facing deportation proceedings in Immigration Court, during the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $187,800, be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00004930 with Frame Law LLC 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, extending the end date from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 and increasing the not to exceed amount by $72,800 for a new total not to exceed amount of $150,800, be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Amendment 5 to Agreement PR00000198 with the Hennepin County Bar Association to provide legal counsel to individuals experiencing poverty who are subject to the Vickerman decree in Hennepin County Mental Health Court, extending the contract end date to May 31, 2024 and increasing the not to exceed amount by $500,000 for a new total not to exceed amount of $7,713,508 be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Amendment 4 to Agreement PR00001574 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, extending the end date from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 and increasing the not to exceed amount by $132,000 for a new total not to exceed amount of $594,500, 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 is responsible for providing legal representation to parents in child protection and family court cases. When more than one parent is a party to the proceeding and a conflict of interest is evident or likely, 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 resolving clauses 1-5 and 7 are outside independent conflict attorneys with expertise in representing parents in child protection and family court matters.
Regarding resolving clause 6, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance (MMLA) has been the contracted vendor to provide quality immigration legal defense service to Hennepin County residents that qualify and are facing deportation proceedings since October 1, 2018, because it demonstrates excellent collaboration with other community-based organizations, as well as expertise and credentialing in immigration law. MMLA continues to partner with The Advocates for Human Rights and Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.
Regarding resolving clause 8, in 1980, Hennepin County District Court entered into a court-ordered settlement which required Hennepin County to establish a procedure for the creation of a panel of qualified attorneys from which appointments would be made to provide legal services under the Minnesota Comprehensive Mental Health Act (Minnesota Statute Sections 245.461 to 245.4887). This settlement provides for the legal representation of persons that are subject to certain mental health commitment petitions. This settlement approved by the United States District Court is referred to as the Vickerman Consent Decree. Upon the Hennepin County District Court’s (Fourth Judicial District) transfer to the State of Minnesota, Hennepin County Administration assumed responsibility for the oversight of the contract to provide legal services. The Hennepin County Bar Association has assembled the group of attorneys who represent the mental health clients. In addition, the Hennepin County Bar Association serves as the administrator of the contract with Hennepin County.
Regarding resolving clause 9, Hennepin County has a long-standing contract history with the Indian Child Welfare Law Center (ICLWC) to provide culturally specific representation to Native American parents in child protection proceedings to further the goals of the Federal Indian Welfare Act. Adult Representation Services manages the contract with ICLWC and partners with the center on initiatives impacting Native American families in child protection cases.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval