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County staff recommend renewing outside labor and employment counsel at reduced hourly rate
Summary
County attorneys recommended extending the contract with outside labor counsel that has advised on collective bargaining and employment claims; staff said principal attorney Matt Lynch’s rate will be $325 per hour under the renewal.
Clallam County staff presented a recommendation on March 3 to extend a personal services agreement with the county’s longtime outside labor and employment firm (identified in the packet as Cedars Bristow) that has advised the county since about 2017 on collective bargaining and employment matters.
Staff said the firm provides two core services: (1) assistance with collective bargaining negotiations and (2) employment-law advice and representation in pre-claim and claim matters. The staff presentation named principal attorney Matt Lynch and said the renewed arrangement would reflect a reduced principal rate of $325 per hour (down from the attorney’s standard $500 hourly rate) and an associate rate of $300 per hour.
Commissioners discussed the likely use of outside counsel during upcoming union negotiations, which increasingly are proceeding under mediation through the state Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC), and whether the county has budgeted for elevated legal expenses. County staff said the HR budget includes elevated legal expenses for labor matters. Commissioners agreed to move the contract forward for signature at the next regular meeting so the county can secure continuity of counsel.
No formal vote was recorded at the work session; staff will present the agreement for signature at the board’s next regular meeting.
