Civil City Attorney

CITY OF BROOKLYN PARK, MINNESOTA
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES
July 20, 2026
SECTION I. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR LEGAL SERVICES
The City of Brooklyn Park is accepting proposals for contracted legal services from firms
or individuals experienced in municipal law. Proposals will be received for a City
Attorney for general municipal representation of civil matters.
The City intends to retain the legal services of the proposer evaluated to be best
qualified to perform the work for the City, cost and other factors considered.
Questions regarding this request should be directed to Assistant to the City Manager,
Zach Kramka, at Zach.Kramka@BrooklynPark.org
In order to ensure a fair review and selection process, law firms submitting proposals
are specifically requested not to make other contacts with City staff or Council members
regarding their proposals.
The City will not reimburse the proposer for any expenses incurred by the proposer
including, but not limited to, expenses associated with the preparation and submission
of the proposal, and attendance at interviews.
The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, request additional information
from any and all proposers, waive any and all irregularities, and to renegotiate in the
best interest of the City of Brooklyn Park.
SECTION II. BACKGROUND
The City of Brooklyn Park is a developing home-rule charter city located in Hennepin
County. The 2020 U.S. Census reported that the population is 86,478.
The City is governed by a Mayor, elected at-large every four years, and six City Council
members, two members in each of three districts with staggered four-year terms. The
City Council hires the City Manager who is responsible for the daily activities of the City
including personnel matters.
The City also has an active Economic Development Authority (EDA) in which the City
Council also serves as the Economic Development Commissioners. The City Attorney
also serves as the EDA's legal counsel.
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SECTION III. TIMETABLE
The City plans to use the following timetable for receiving and analyzing proposals:
A. Proposals shall be received until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026, via email
at Zach.Kramka@BrooklynPark.org
B. A review committee composed of select City Council members and City staff will
review and analyze all proposals.
C. One or more firms will be asked to participate in interviews with the review
committee during the week of August 24.
D. The City hopes to finalize a selection during the September 14 City Council
meeting.
E. The effective date of legal representation will be negotiated to assure a smooth
transition in legal services but is anticipated to be January 1, 2027.
SECTION IV. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Proposals received shall include information regarding general municipal representation
on civil matters. Proposals may also include other services such as bond counsel and
development services but are not required to include these additional services.
Proposals should be submitted to Zach Kramka, Assistant to the City Manager, via
email at Zach.Kramka@BrooklynPark.org no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14,
2026.
Proposals submitted must provide complete information as indicated in this request.
SECTION V. REQUIRED CONTENTS FOR PROPOSALS
1. Firm or Individual Background
A. Brief history
B. Number of attorneys/specialties
C. Number of paralegals/specialties
D. Number and job descriptions of support personnel
E. Officer organization and support capabilities
F. Flow chart of work process for municipal work
G. Office location(s)
2. Firm/Attorney Qualifications
A. Identify each attorney and key support personnel who will be supplying
services for which the City will be billed.
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For each person identified, please state:
1) Relevant academic training and degrees
2) A description of their prior municipal experience in the areas identified
in the General Municipal Legal Services Requirements (Section VI.) and
an estimate of the percentage of their work in those areas from 2015
through present.
3) Other relevant background or experience, which may be helpful in
evaluating your proposal. Background or experience in the areas of land
use regulation, general and public contracting, eminent domain, real
estate, development, prevailing wage matters, public records requests,
human resources and labor relations, and municipal related litigation will
be of special interest in evaluating proposals.
B. Provide a description of the proposed allocation of work between the
attorney(s) and support personnel identified (i.e., who will be the lead attorney
and what work will be handled by junior partners, associates, or paralegals).
C. Provide current principal responsibilities for individual designated as lead
attorney, including a statement indicating future availability.
D. Provide the names and telephone numbers of three client references who the
City may contact. Municipal references to which services were provided are
preferred.
E. Specify whether the firm is a recognized bond counsel and plans to serve in
that capacity in the proposed representation.
F. If the firm or any of the attorneys employed by the firm have ever been sued
by cities or other clients for malpractice, been the subject of complaints filed with
the State Bar, or had discipline imposed by the State Bar, please provide
information about the nature of the incident, the dates of when the matter began
and was concluded, and the results of the situation.
3. Fees
A. Retainer Fee - We request a proposal as a yearly flat retainer fee (for 3-4
years) which would cover general civil work defined in Section VI of this
document.
B. Non-Retainer Fees - For those legal services not covered by the retainer,
propose regular hourly rates for the different classifications for legal assistance.
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C. Proposed Fees Format Please list proposed fees in the following format:
1) Annual Retainer (per year for 3-4 years) $_________________
2) Non-Retainer - For the hourly fees' portion of your proposal, please
identify the hourly rate of each attorney and support personnel.
Positions... Hourly Rates...
- ____________________ $_________________
- ____________________ $ _________________
3) Overhead costs items - List the rate of any overhead cost items to be
billed; i.e., photocopying, etc.)
- ____________________ $_________________
- ____________________ $_________________
D) The City requires detailed monthly billing statements, which shall include, but
are not limited to the following items:
1) Itemize the date of services
2) Identify the attorney and/or support personnel providing the services
3) List time spent
4) Provide a detailed description of the services performed
5) State the fees for those services
6) Organize billing for general corporate work by department, type of
services, and/or project
7) Itemize all associated costs and expenses related to the services
performed. If another billing format will be proposed, please describe that
format and provide a sample. All rates will be subject to annual review.
SECTION VI: GENERAL MUNICIPAL LEGAL SERVICES REQUIREMENTS
A comprehensive list relating to municipal legal services required shall include but is not
limited to the following:
1. Attendance by a senior attorney from the firm at all Regular City Council meetings,
Economic Development Authority (EDA) meetings, and attendance at other City board,
commission, committee, or special meetings as requested by the City Council or city
manager.
2. Drafting and review of ordinances, resolutions, and correspondence as requested.
3. Careful review of all City Council and Planning Commission agenda items and
minutes.
4. Meetings and/or telephone conversations to advise the City Council, city manager,
department directors, and designated individuals on general legal matters.
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5. Review of municipal contracts, including contracts for public improvements, joint
powers agreements, construction, purchase of equipment, and the like.
6. Representation of the City in the acquisition of properties for public improvements,
easements, parks and the like.
7. Representation of the City in condemnation proceedings for public improvement
projects, etc.
8. Representation of the City in matters related to the enforcement of City building,
housing, and zoning codes.
9. Interpretation and advice with respect to the Minnesota Data Practices Act and its
applications, and review of responses to data practices requests.
10. Interpretation and advice with respect to Minnesota election laws.
11. Interpretation and advice with respect to city charter matters.
12. Research and submission of legal opinions on municipal or other legal matters
requested by the City Council, city manager, department directors and designated
individuals.
13. Participate in meetings with the city manager, department directors, and designated
individuals as requested to review Council agenda items, the status of all legal matters
before the City and EDA and provide a quarterly written status report on all current
litigation and unresolved matters.
14. Provide legal briefings as requested to City staff and Council regarding new or
proposed legislation affecting municipal operations and activities.
15. Provide on a periodic basis written updates on new state or federal legislation or
judicial holding impacting the City, and suggested action or changes in operations or
procedures to assure compliance.
16. Defend the City in all litigation, except in those cases where insurance companies
are required to exclusively provide defense, including but not limited to: (1) human rights
claims; (2) condemnation; (3) zoning and land use regulation matters; and (4) permits
and administrative actions.
17. Review bonds and insurance requirements required by or for City contracts or
activities.
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18. Review of documents submitted by bond counsel involving the issuance of debt-
related instruments and provision of opinions as required. (Optional)
19. Provide title review for all subdivisions processed through the City.
20. Participate in meetings with the city manager, department directors, and designated
individuals as requested regarding prevailing wage matters.
21. Review of development agreements for projects coming before the EDA. (Optional)
SECTION VII. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
1. Indicate whether you or your law firm represent, or have represented, any client that
may conflict with your ability to serve as City Attorney.
2. Indicate whether you or your law firm represent public sector agencies exclusively or
provide services to both public and private entities/individuals.
3. Do you currently represent any real estate developers and/or brokers, property
owners, or property management firms who have a financial interest in the City of
Brooklyn Park and Hennepin County? If so, please identify those companies or persons
in detail as well as the nature of financial interest and location of developments,
properties, and/or holdings; and provide a percentage breakdown of how much this
work represents of your firm's total billings.
4. Do you currently represent any other local units of government having jurisdiction
within or contiguous to the City of Brooklyn Park?
5. What procedures does your firm utilize to identify and resolve conflicts of interest?
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