Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Bodman, PLC for Legal Services to Support the City's Participation in the 3M Company and DuPont PFAS Class Settlements and Appropriate Funds ($150,000.00)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution to approve a Professional Services Agreement with Bodman, PLC in the amount of $150,000 for specialized legal services to support the City's Participation in Proposed Class Settlements by 3M Company and DuPont to Resolve Claims by Public Water Systems Affected by PFAS Contamination in the matter In re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation, Multi-District Litigation No. 2:18-mn-2873-RMG.
On November 20, 2023, City Council approved a resolution to opt-in and participate in the proposed 3M and DuPont PFAS class settlements (R-23-430), and the City is in need of legal expertise and experience to support and maximize its claims in those PFAS class settlements which involve specialized issues relating to these PFAS contamination and claims, and the federal class action settlement process.
The City Attorney's Office has selected Bodman, PLC as the law firm to provide these specialized legal services because of the City's past and ongoing experience with Bodman on environmental and complex litigation matters, including the Gelman Sciences litigation, the firm's familiarity and experience with both PFAS issues, environmental litigation, and the federal class action settlement process. Bodman proposes to provide these legal services on an hourly basis consistent with the rates on other ongoing matters with the City which will allow the City to use and pay for only the services it needs, which, in this circumstance, is preferrable to a contingency fee that would not be connected to the City's needs for the legal services.
The City Attorney's Office requests approval of the Professional Services Agreement with Bodman, PLC in the amount of $150,000.00 for legal service...
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