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Committee approves multiple legal-services extensions, including bankruptcy counsel and litigation matters
Summary
The committee approved several legal-services amendments: continued bankruptcy representation for the treasurer’s office (Shima Kilpatrick), tax- and payroll-related counsel (Dickinson Wright), and extensions for litigation matters (Plunkett Cooney, Zmer PC, Zosmer PC). Commissioners questioned rates, contracting practices and local subcontractor use.
The Wayne County Government Operations Committee voted to approve a series of legal-services contract amendments covering bankruptcy work for the treasurer’s office, technical Internal Revenue Code advice, and several pending litigation matters.
Jacob Ganham, chief assistant corporation counsel, introduced requests for outside counsel. Ricardo Kilpatrick, principal at Shima Kilpatrick & Associates PLLC, told the committee his firm handled 531 bankruptcy-related matters last year and said those efforts produced approximately $1,770,000 in recoveries attributable to the work while the county paid about $270,000 in fees under the contract. Kilpatrick said the contract’s maximum hourly rate is $200 and predicted a modeled 15% increase in bankruptcy filings for 2026. Commissioners pressed on staffing capacity and billing practices; Kilpatrick said his firm can scale for increased volume and will bill the county at contract rates.
The committee also approved an amendment to continue Dickinson Wright’s work on Internal Revenue Code and payroll matters; Aaron Burrell of Dickinson Wright explained the engagement covers technical payroll issues, FICA and W-2C corrections and similar questions. For the Hogan case, staff asked to forward an amendment for Plunkett Cooney to the full board contingent on an updated rate change from $200 to $255 per hour; the committee agreed to send the item forward. Counsel reported the Hogan matter returned from appellate review and that discovery and trial preparation on remaining plaintiffs are advancing.
Finally, the committee approved amendments for Zmer PC (to continue representation on a toxic-waste matter while the court issues a decision) and for Zosmer PC to continue work related to the Rock Ventures criminal justice complex closeout; staff said the latter extension is primarily to manage punch-list, warranty and insurance items and that there remains potential for future claims. Commissioner Peterson Mayberry urged staff to prioritize local subcontractor use where feasible on the criminal justice complex closeout work; outside counsel said some specialty subcontractors are limited nationally but noted the county’s concerns.
All legal-service items were moved and carried during the meeting.
