September 16, 1993 (2)CINDY L. BARTIN
JOSEPH W. LANDERS, JR.
JOHN T. LAVIA, III
RICHARD A. LOTSPEICH
FRED A. McCORMACK
PHILIP S. PARSONS
HOWELL L. FERGUSON
OF COUNSEL
VICTORIA J. TSCHINKEL
SENIOR CONSULTANT
(NOT A MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA BAR)
John R. Cook
City Attorney
City of Okeechobee
202 N. W. 5th Avenue
Okeechobee, FL 34972
Dear Mr. Cook:
LANDERS PARSONS
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
September 16, 1993
310 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE
POST OFFICE BOX 271
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32302
TELEPHONE (904) 681 -0311
TELECOPY (904) 224 -5595
We are very pleased that you have chosen to retain us as
counsel in connection with defending the Circuit Court action for
declaratory relief filed by Okeechobee Beach Water Association,
Inc. This letter describes the basis on which our firm will
provide legal services to you and how we will be compensated for
our services.
As a partner in the firm, I will have primary responsibility
for the representation and will utilize other attorneys and legal
assistants in the office in the best exercise of my professional
judgment. Michael Morell will be working with me as co- counsel in
this case. If, at any time, you have questions, concerns, or
criticisms, please contact me at once.
Our fees for this matter will be based on a schedule of hourly
rates. The schedule of hourly rates for attorneys and other
members of the professional staff is based on years of experience,
specialization in training and practice, and level of professional
attainment. My hourly rate for this matter will be $115.00, and,
to the extent that other attorneys and legal assistants are
involved, their rates will vary from $90 to $115 an hour.
In addition to the fees, our bills will include charges for
out -of- pocket expenses such as travel, meals, filing fees, etc.
Any extraordinary expenses such as deposition costs, printing
costs, advertising costs, etc., will be billed directly to you.
A surcharge of 3% of the fees billed is added to each bill to cover
the costs of postage, copying and telephone charges.
Our statements generally will be prepared and mailed during
the month following the month in which services are rendered and
costs advanced.
Mr. Cook
Page 2
September 16, 1993
Should retaining expert witnesses, consultants and court
reporters with regard to the proceedings be advisable, the City
would also be directly responsible to the experts, consultants and
reporters for payment of their fees.
Please review the foregoing and, if it meets with your
approval, sign a copy of the letter and return it to me in the
enclosed envelope. If you have any questions, please feel free to
call me.
Enclosure
cc: Michael Wm. Morell
Sincerely,
Richard A. speich
John Cook
City Attorney
City of. Okeechobee