Two law firms pitch contract city‑attorney services to Livingston council; council to decide in closed session

Two law firms presented contract city‑attorney proposals at the June 3 Livingston City Council meeting and answered council questions about team structure, availability for council and planning‑commission meetings, travel arrangements, and billing practices.

Burke Williams presentation

Mark (surname in transcript: Badassetram) and Leah Casella represented Burke Williams. They described a “core team” assigned to Livingston that would include a lead city attorney, an assistant, and specialty attorneys for labor/employment, planning, public construction, code enforcement and environmental matters. Leah Casella emphasized the firm’s public‑agency experience and the value of having specialists available for rapid, practical legal advice. When asked about start dates, Burke said the firm could begin “as soon as you’d like us to start” and noted the firm would be flexible about office hours and backup representation.

Colin, Tuno, Highsmith & Whatley presentation

Andrew Jared and associate Mahir (Mahir Korodi in transcript) presented the second firm (Colin, Tuno, Highsmith & Whatley). Jared described a practice that balances litigation and municipal transactional work, said his office frequently supports northern and southern California clients, and offered to provide a cost‑competitive proposal. Jared told council the firm typically structures travel billing “portal to portal” and can negotiate fixed‑fee or hourly arrangements. On start date he said the firm could take over “as soon…