LEGAL SERVICES – SPECIAL COUNSEL TO HAYS COUNTY FOR OPIOID LITIGATION

RFQ # OGC-2019-001

Hays County (the “County”) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) for legal services. The legal services desired are more fully described in Section II—Scope of Services. One (1) electronic (pdf) format copy of the original SOQ must be submitted in accordance with the instructions set out herein to:

Hays County Office of General Counsel Attn: Janice Jones janice.jones@co.hays.tx.us

SOQs will be received at the above email address until 4:00pm CST on Friday, April 5, 2019. Late submittals will not be taken into consideration, as they will be considered nonresponsive.

The County expects to award one (1) law firm (hereinafter “Firm”). The County reserves the right in its sole discretion to (1) accept and qualify SOQs that the Hays County Commissioners Court determines to be the most qualified provider for the type of legal service requested based on criteria set forth in this RFQ; (2) grant an award for providing the type of legal service described in Section II—Scope of Services; and (3) engage services of the selected and awarded Firm. Details regarding the evaluation and qualification of SOQs are included in Section II—Scope and Services.

SECTION I—PURPOSE OF RFQ

Hays County is seeking SOQs to retain the services of a law Firm to evaluate the merits of, and to the extent desired by the County, pursue litigation against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and others related to the impact of opioid manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and use in Hays County.

SECTION II—SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Firm will evaluate the merits of, and to the extent desired by the County, pursue litigation against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and others related to the impact of opioid manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and use in Hays County.

Representation will include significant evaluative and investigative work. The Firm will be required to communicate and coordinate with the Hays County Office of General Counsel and will have to meet and/or confer with the Hays County Commissioners Court on various occasions. Litigation will likely include drafting of pleadings, motions, briefs, etc., filing those documents with the appropriate clerks, conducting and responding to discovery, attending all pre-trial, trial, and post-trial court appearances and possible negotiation meeting efforts, and handling any and all appeals.

The Firm shall: (1) evaluate the merits of pursuing litigation against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and others related to the impact of the opioid epidemic in Hays County; (2) be responsible for legal research, advice, and representation concerning the distribution and manufacture of opioids and the impact of opioids on Hays County; (3) brief County officials and the Office of General Counsel on all matters related to the scope of this RFQ; (4) provide copies of all litigation correspondence and pleadings produced and received in connection with said litigation and give timely notice to the County on any and all pleadings, motions, rulings, hearings, trials, mediations or settlement negotiations; (5) meet, coordinate, and submit any updates or reports to the Office of General Counsel on a regular basis; (6) perform any other services as requested by the Hays County Commissioners Court or the Hays County Office of General Counsel.

SECTION III—RELEVANT FIRM INFORMATION

Firm Summary

This section should introduce the Firm and include a brief general overview of the Firm, such as length of time in business, how the Firm was founded, Firm specialties, certifications, partner leadership and involvement, etc. This section should also include appropriate contact information for the Firm.

Firm Qualifications in Opioid Litigation

This section should include the specific qualifications and experience of the Firm directly related to the topic of opioid litigation. Courts and jurisdictions/venues of experience should be included, as well as any specific cases, trials, outcomes, Firm members involved in said cases, etc.

Specific Personnel Qualifications

This section should introduce key Firm members that will be most directly involved in the opioid litigation involving Hays County. Details should include team member names, status/job title with the Firm, backgrounds, general experience in the legal profession, specific experience in opioid litigation, and any special certifications held by said Firm members. Details may be supplemented with resumes of participating Firm members.

General Legal Approach and Fee Arrangement

Please provide a brief overview of the Firm’s legal approach to opioid litigation involving Hays County. This section should include the jurisdiction/venue in which litigation is to be filed and the Firm’s general approach to opioid litigation (causes of action, etc.). The Firm’s intentions related to billing (per hour, retainer, contingency, etc.) should also be included.