Item Description:
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Amds and Agmts between Hennepin County Adult Representation Services (ARS) and legal service providers for 2025
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the following Amendments and Agreements for legal services to individuals experiencing poverty or facing deportation proceedings be approved:
• Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00005648 with Buettner Law Group, LLC, extending the contract end date to December 31, 2025 and increasing the contract amount by $156,000 to a new not to exceed total of $280,800; and
• Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00005646 with Anne M. Carlson Law Office, LLC, extending the contract end date to December 31, 2025 and increasing the contract amount by $104,000 to a new not to exceed total of $187,200; and
• Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00005649 with Colich & Associates, extending the contract end date to December 31, 2025 and increasing the contract amount by $104,000 to a new not to exceed total of $187,200; and
• Amendment 3 to Agreement PR00004007 with Stephen C. Fiebiger Law Office, extending the contract end date to December 31, 2025 with no change to the not to exceed $109,200; and
• Amendment 6 to Agreement PR00001574 with Indian Child Welfare Law Center, extending the contract end date to December 31, 2025 and increasing the contract amount by $229,000 for a new total not to exceed amount of $908,500; and
• Agreement PR00006792 with Christi Cameron Johnson, Attorney at Law, during the period January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $104,000; and
• Agreement PR00006788 with Douglas F. McGuire Law Office, during the period January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $104,000; and
• Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00005677 with Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance (MMLA), extending the contract end date to December 31, 2025 and increasing the contract amount by $200,000 to a new not to exceed total of $387,800; and
• Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00005647 with E Murphy Law Offices, PLLC, extending the contract end date to December 31, 2025 and increasing the contract amount by $104,000 to a new not to exceed total of $187,200; and
• Amendment 1 to Agreement PR00005645 with Solution-Focused Family Law, LLC, extending the contract end date to December 31, 2025 and increasing the contract amount by $156,000 to a new not to exceed total of $280,800; and
• Amendment 3 to Agreement PR00004439 with Volunteer Lawyers Network, Ltd., extending the contract end date to December 31, 2025 and increasing the contract amount by $55,000 to a new not to exceed total of $151,400 ; 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:
Adult Representation Services (ARS) provides legal representation to parents in child protection and family court proceedings, and individuals facing guardianship actions. When more than one person 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 resolution clauses 1-4, 9 and 10 are outside independent conflict attorneys with expertise in representing parents in child protection, family court, and/or guardianship matters.
As part of our holistic model and prevention services, ARS represents clients in child support modification proceedings where they are entitled to a reduction in child support due to changing economic circumstances. These actions reduce the likelihood of a civil contempt action whereby the client faces incarceration and loss of their driver’s license. ARS provides legal representation to clients in child support modifications in order to avoid future contempt proceedings. The contractor noted in resolution clause 6 is an outside independent attorney with expertise in this area.
ARS is responsible for providing legal representation to individuals facing civil commitment proceedings. ARS does not have an internal conflicts panel and has an established practice of contracting conflict cases to independent contractors. The contractor noted in resolution clause 7 is an outside independent attorney with expertise in representing individuals in civil commitment proceedings. This contractor will also provide training for ARS attorneys and consult on appellate work.
Regarding resolution clause 8, 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 they demonstrate 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 resolution clause 5, 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.
Regarding resolution clause 11, Hennepin County has an established contract history with the Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) to provide legal services for co-defendants in Hennepin County Housing Court eviction cases. VLN helps Minnesotans experiencing poverty by connecting clients with volunteer attorneys with a wide range of civil legal issues including eviction defense and expungement.
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Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval