Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legal Counsel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sugarman & Susskind offers reduced fees after partner resignation; trustees plan interviews with counsel candidates
Summary
Sugarman & Susskind told the board that attorney Pedro has resigned and offered a 25% fee reduction for two years with David Robinson as principal contact; trustees agreed to interview three options — Pedro Herrera, Sugarman & Susskind (Robinson) and the city's other funds attorney — at the April meeting.
Sugarman & Susskind partner David Robinson told the Firefighters Pension Plan Board on March 26 that attorney Pedro (Herrera) resigned from the firm and that Sugarman offered to continue representing the board. Robinson introduced himself, said he would serve as principal contact, and proposed a 25% fee reduction for two years so the board can evaluate the relationship under his lead.
Robinson said the firm has provided counsel to the plan for many years and that the fee reduction is intended to give trustees time to assess service under the new principal attorney. “If at any time during those two years you feel dissatisfied… you have the right to seek other attorneys,” Robinson said.
Trustees discussed next steps and agreed by consensus to interview three options at the next meeting: Pedro Herrera (who is pursuing other arrangements), Sugarman & Susskind with David Robinson as principal counsel, and the city’s other funds attorney (an independent option). The board directed staff to schedule presentations at the April 22 meeting and to circulate written materials in advance, subject to the city's ADA checks and normal packet procedures.
No formal vote was required to schedule interviews; trustees said they want to compare services and fees before deciding whether to retain Sugarman & Susskind, move to another firm, or split work among counsel.
