RECOMMENDATION: (Summary)
Adopt an ordinance approving: an agreement for legal services between the City of Houston and Susman Godfrey L.L.P., for continued representation of the City related to pending litigation in a commercial dispute between WTW Delaware Holdings LLC f/k/a Towers Watson & Co. f/k/a Towers Perrin ("Towers") and the City of Houston,("City") more specifically; The City of Houston v. Towers Watson & Co.: Civil Action No. 14-cv-02213
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The City is plaintiff in pending litigation against Towers in the case styled; The City of Houston v. Towers Watson & Co.: Civil Action No. 14-cv-02213. The lawsuit is currently set for trial in Federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas on October 31, 2017. The City asserts claims for negligence, negligent misrepresentations, and professional malpractice and seeks damages in an amount far in excess of the minimal jurisdictional limits of the court.
The City seeks to continue to retain Susman Godfrey, L.L.P. ("Firm") but has determined that the current contract with the Firm should be superseded and replaced by a new contract which addresses a statutory matter for contingency fee arrangements. The new contract does not alter the financial terms under the existing agreement nor are any new funds being requested.
Pay or Play
The Firm has certified that it provides health benefits to eligible employees in compliance with the City policy.
M/WBE Subcontracting
Qualified City certified MWBE firms will be retained by Firm where feasible.
Houston First
Susman Godfrey is a Houston based Firm.