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

FromCounty Counsel

Meeting DateFebruary 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 the General Plan? N/A

 

Strategic Plan Priority Designation: An Effective County Government

 

Supervisorial District:  All

                                          

vote requirement:  Majority

                                          

 

 

Supplemental Information Available Online At: n/a

 

Fiscal Details:

source of funding: CO-862189

budgeted in current f/y: No

current f/y cost: 25,000

if no, please describe:

annual recurring cost: n/a

revenue agreement: N/A

 budget clarification: n/a

Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: Yes

 

CEO Liaison: Executive Office

 

 

CEO Review: yes 

 

 

CEO Comments:

 

FOR COB USE ONLY

Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Senior Deputy Clerk

Final Status: Direction Given to Staff

Date: February 7, 2023