Mendocino Logo
File #: 23-0202    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Agreement Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 1/31/2023 In control: County Counsel
On agenda: 2/7/2023 Final action:
Title: Discussion and Possible Action Including Approval of Agreement with Larson LLP in the Amount of $25,000 for Legal Opinion Regarding Federal Implications Associated with Mendocino County Cannabis Local Equity Grant Program, Effective Upon Signing Through June 30, 2023 (Sponsor: County Counsel)
Sponsors: County Counsel
Attachments: 1. Larson LLP Agreement, 2. Larson, Stephen - Biography, 3. Larson, Stephen - CV, 4. Potashner, Hilary - Biography, 5. Potashner, Hilary - CV

TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: County Counsel
MEETING DATE: February 7, 2023


DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Christian Curtis
PHONE:
707-234-6885


ITEM TYPE: Regular Agenda

TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: 30 Minutes


AGENDA TITLE:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Approval of Agreement with Larson LLP in the Amount of $25,000 for Legal Opinion Regarding Federal Implications Associated with Mendocino County Cannabis Local Equity Grant Program, Effective Upon Signing Through June 30, 2023
(Sponsor: County Counsel)
End

RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Approve agreement with Larson LLP in the amount of $25,000 for legal opinion regarding federal implications associated with Mendocino County Cannabis Local Equity Grant Program, effective upon signing through June 30, 2023; and authorize Chair to sign same.
End

PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
During the December 13, 2022, Board of Supervisors meeting, this Board directed County Counsel to bring an item forward on the agenda to obtain a legal opinion regarding the federal criminal implications, if any, associated with the Mendocino County Cannabis Local Equity Grant Program.

SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors directed County Counsel to obtain a contract for outside counsel opinion regarding the federal criminal implications, if any, associated with the County's Local Equity Grant Program, and directed County Counsel to bring this item forward on the agenda early this year. Larson LLP has extensive experience including in white collar defense and government investigations. Partners Hilary Potashner, a highly regarded former public defender and Stephen G. Larson, a former U.S. District Judge and founding partner, are available to assist with this project, and have agreed to significant reductions to their standard hourly rates.

ALTERNATIVE ACTION/MOTION:
Direct County Counsel to obtain an opinion from the Attorney General

DOES THIS ITEM SUPPORT ...

Click here for full text