[1. Meeting Opening ]
[00:00:08]
>> I CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
LET STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE.
[2. Information Items ]
SO, WELCOME EVERYONE. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY. FOR THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING ONLINE. TODAY, WE ARE ADDRESSING A LEGAL RFP. WE HAVE THREE LAW FIRMS BE INVITED BACK TO PRESENT FOR US. ALL OF THE PRESENTATIONS ARE POSTED ONLINE AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE HERE AND ALSO WATCHING ONLINE . STARTING OUTGOING ALPHABETICAL ORDER, SO BARNES AND THORNBURG OUR FIRST.HOW THIS PROCESS WILL PROCEED, THEY 15 MINUTES TO PRESENT AND 15 MINUTES OF Q&A FROM US. THEN, THE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY, OR THEY CAN DECIDE TO LEAVE.
THE OTHERS ARE WATCHING FROM ANOTHER ROOM ONLINE AS WELL.
FROM THIS INFORMATION, WE HAVE A DOCUMENT, TRYING TO THINK NAME OF THE DOCUMENT, THE RUBRIC.
MY BRAIN IS FRIED TODAY. HE WILL SCORE FROM THIS AND USES IN OUR DELIBERATION AND SELECTION.
WITH THAT BEINGSAID , WELCOME. >> I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS GOING FIRST. THE ONLY REQUIREMENT IS THAT YOU HAVE TO TURN ON THE RED LIGHT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, PRESIDENT LANG AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
MY NAME IS JACOB GERRYMANDERED I AM A PARTNER OF BARNES AND THORNBURG. WE HAVE A PRIVILEGE TO BE STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY IN PURSUIT OF WORKING WITH THE BOARD AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE COMMUNITY, TO SERVE THE HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN SCHOOLS FOR LEGAL PURPOSES AND WE WILL WORKS. AS THE DOCUMENT I PASSED OUT TODAY IS A SUPPLEMENT TO OUR OVERALL PROPOSAL.
HE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF UNIQUE ASPECTS ABOUT OUR PROPOSAL AND SOME OF THE WORK AND SOME OF THE NEW TEAM MEMBERS THAT WE HAVE RECENTLY JOINED OUR FIRM TO HELP US AND SPECIALIZING IN SERVICES TO THE GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATION APARTMENT. I DID WANT TO MENTION ONE THING THAT I THINK IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT IN HOW WE VIEW THIS RELATIONSHIP. THIS IS A JUMPING OFF POINT FOR US. WE LOOK AT OUR CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS AS ATRUE PARTNERSHIP .
THAT PARTNERSHIP IS SOMETHING WHERE IT EVOLVES OVER TIME.
THE NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS EVOLVE OVER TIME.
ESPECIALLY IN THE K-12 SPACE, WE SEE ISSUES THAT THEY ARE GOING TO FACE THIS BOARD NOW AND HAVE FACED THIS BOARD BEFORE. WE BELIEVE THAT OUR SUITE OF SERVICES HOLY ENCOMPASSES ALL ASPECTS THAT THIS BOARD COULD FACE. WE ARE A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR YOUR LEGAL NEEDS AND SERVICES. EVERYTHING FROM DAY-TO-DAY BOARD OPERATIONS, MANAGING AND HANDLING THE RUNNING OF A MEETING, PARLIAMENTARY STYLE ADVICE.
THAT IS AREA NUMBER ONE, BUCKET ONE OF WHAT WE SAY.
BUCKET NUMBER TWO IS POLICY, POLICY DEVELOPMENT.
IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO THIS ORGANIZATION AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SIMILARLY SITUATED.MAKE NO MISTAKE, THOSE POLICIES HAVE BEEN INHIBITED THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THERE IS LEGAL ADVICE AND DISCUSSIONS THAT TAKE PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE POLICY THIS BOARD PUTS IN PLACE ARE IN LINE WITH BOTH INDIANA LAW AND FEDERAL LAW.
WE ARE HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE THE MISSION OF THE BOARD AND FILTER IT THROUGH THE REQUIRED LEGAL STATUTES AND MAKE SURE IT IS OF LIMITED THE RIGHT WAY.
FINALLY, THE LAST ASPECT THAT ALL OF US WANTS TO TRULY SEE IS THE ADVANCEMENT OF HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN SCHOOLS WITH LARG CAPITAL PROJECTS OR LARGE GROWTH , OR LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS AS A WHOLE. WE ADVISE ON A WHOLE SUITE OF SERVICES FROM PUBLIC BIDDING, PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ALL THE WAY THROUGH BOND COUNCIL WORK . THEN WALKING THE BOARD AND WALKING THROUGH THE LEGAL ADVICE SURROUNDING THOSE
[00:05:01]
ISSUES. WE DO LOOK AT OURSELVES AS A FULL-SERVICE, ONE-STOP SHOP SUITE OF SERVICES FOR THE BOARD. I DO WANT TO TURN TO ONE ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. AS THE BOARD AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ARE STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYER FUNDS, FINDING THE APPROPRIATE AND COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO HAVE LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED IS OUR TOP PRIORITY, IT IS PARAMOUNT.I DON'T THINK THAT IS A SURPRISE THAT WE ALL LOOKED AT EACH OTHER'S PROPOSALS. I AM SURE WHEN THE OTHER TWO FOLKS, PETER, THEY WILL ADMIT THE SAME THING.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN RATES AND HOW THE FEE STRUCTURE IS PROPOSED. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A UNIQUE DIFFERENCE. WE PROPOSE A MONTHLY FIXED FEE THAT WE ARE HAPPY TO DON'T GOING TO DISCUSSION AND WORK WITH THE BOARD TO FIND THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT.BUT, WHAT IS ACTUALLY MEAN? IF YOU HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE MODEL, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE ASPECT OF IT THAT I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT. I PUT THIS RIGHT ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE DISCUSSION HERE, THE SUPPLEMENT.
OUR TEAM FEELS THAT THIS IS THAT IMPORTANT.
WE PROVIDE ALL THE SERVICES UNDER THAT MONTHLY FIXED FEE.
OTHER PROPOSALS, OTHER FEE STRUCTURES LOOK AT A MONTHLY FIXED FEE AND BILL HOURLY ONTOP OF THAT .
BUT, MAKE NO MISTAKE, WE SET A MONTHLY FIXED FEE WITH YOU ALL AFTER DISCUSSION TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ELEMENTS OF WORK AND PRICING ARE FACING THE BOARD ON A GIVEN PERIOD OF TIME.
WE SET THAT PROVIDE THE SERVICES, WHETHER IT IS ONE ISSUE OR 1000 ISSUES. WE DO ALL OF THE UNDER THAT FIXED FEE DOLLAR AMOUNT. IT GIVES THE BOARD ASENSE OF , AND ASSUREDLY ABOUT THE OVERALL COST OF THE LEGAL SERVICES THAT THIS BOARD WOULD NEED IT SET A BUDGET AND WE ARE HELD TO THAT BUDGET. THE RISK IS DONE ON US, AND WE BELIEVE IN OURSELVES THAT WE CAN PROVIDE EFFICIENT, LEGAL ADVICE ALL UNDER THAT FEE CAP RATE THERE.
THE ONLY THINGS THAT ARE CALLED OUT OFFER BOND FINANCING AND LITIGATION . THE BOND PROCEEDS COVER THE COST OF BEING A BOND COUNSELOR AND ISSUERS COUNCIL.
I DID WANT TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING FIXED FEE.
WHETHER WE HAVE BIWEEKLY MEETINGS WITH THE BOARD, OBVIOUSLY WORKING THROUGH ATTENDING BOARD MEETINGS AND EVERYTHING IN BE SELF BETWEEN, ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT COULD FACE THE BOARD. CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS ARE ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT ONE, ANYTHING THAT FACES THIS BOARD UNDER THAT IS COVERED BY THAT FIXED FEE FOR THAT IS WHERE WE FEEL LIKE OUR PROPOSAL SETS US APART IN THOSE AREAS.
I WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO A FEW OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TEAM. A RECENT ADDITION WITH US AND PARTNER WITH US WHO HEAD'S UP OUR K-12 PRACTICE AREA.
I WILL ATTEMPT COME UP AND DISCUSS, THANK YOU.
>> LIKE JAKE SAID, MY NAME IS JASON.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE THIS EVENING.
I WILL KEEP MY PIECE OF THE PRESENTATION VERY BRIEF.
LATER, I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
I HAVE BEEN PRACTICING SCHOOL LAW FOR 20 YEARS AND HAVE REPRESENTED SCHOOLS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.
FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS AREA NORTH, TO DOWN SOUTH.
I CANNOT THINK OF AN ISSUE WITH THE STUDENT OR AN EMPLOYEE THAT WE HAVE NOT CONFRONTED AT SOME POINT.
I DO NOT WANT TO READ THE PROPOSAL TO YOU, BUT EVERY ALPHABET SOUP GOVERNMENT ENTITY THAT WE HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH THE STUDENT OR EMPLOYEE ISSUE, WE REPRESENT SCHOOLS EXCLUSIVELY, NOT PARENTS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL, THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN. I CAN GO THROUGH ALL THE COURTS AND THE AGENCY THAT WE HANDLED THEM ALL THE BARGAINING AND TEACHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE HAVE DONE.
STUDENT BULLYING ISSUES, STUDENT ABUSE ISSUES, TEACHER REPORTING ISSUES, ALL THE THINGS THAT CONFRONT YOUR ADMINISTRATORS AND BOARD DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO CHRIS.
IN THE QUESTION AND ANSWER, FEEL FREETO HIT ME WITH WHATEVER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE .
>> THANKS JASON. GOOD EVENING, I'LL KEEP MY COMMENTS BRIEF AS WELL. PRESIDENT LANE, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND DOCTOR STOKES, IT IS GREAT TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY. I HAD THE DISTINCT HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF SERVING OUR COMMUNITY OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS AS A PART OF OUR ADMINISTRATION SERVING AS THE FIRST CITY ATTORNEY. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IS THAT
[00:10:04]
WORK WAS REALLY MY MISSION, IT WAS PERSONAL TO ME.MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN RESIDENTS OF THE FISHERS FOR 10+ YEARS. WE'VE BEEN LIFELONG RESIDENT OF HAMILTON COUNTY. SIMILARLY, THIS WORK FOR THE SCHOOL CORPORATION IS NOT OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY AND IT TOO WILL BE PERSONAL TO ME.
MY CHILDREN ARE PART OF THE SCHOOL CORPORATION.
MY SON IS ONE THIRD GRADER, MY DAUGHTER WILL BE A KINDERGARTNER AT LANTERN ROAD NEXT FALL.
BEING A PART OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, I BELIEVE I HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS AND WHERE OUR COMMUNITY IS GOING AND THE ISSUES THAT ARE FACING OUR COMMUNITY AND ISSUES FACING THE SCHOOL CORPORATION. I CAN THINK OF NO BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO ALIGN STRATEGICALLY ACTUALLY WITHOUT SCHOOL CORPORATION THEN NOW. I PUT MSELF IN OUR TEAM HERE AT BARNES AND THORNBURG ARE BEST POSITIONED TO HELP YOU DO THAT. PRIOR TO BECOMING THE CITY'S ATTORNEY - - INDIAN EDUCATION BOARD WHERE SERVE AS THE CHIEF OFFICER. I LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING THE ADDED ELEMENT TO AN ALREADY OUTSTANDING GROUP OF ATTORNEYS LED BY JASON AND HIS TEAM. I THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY IN YOUR TIME HERE THIS EVENING.
>> PRESIDENT LANGAN MEMBER OF THE BOARD, THAT DOES CONCLUDE THE PRESENTATION ON THE BARS AND THORNBURG SIDE.
WE WELCOME QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION FROM THE BOARD, AND
LOOK FORWARD TO IT, THANK YOU. >> PRESIDENT LANG: THANK YOU.
I WILL OPEN IT UP TO THE BOARD FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY
HAVE. >> ONE THING RIGHT OFF THE BAT THAT WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF, ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST YOU HAVE IN THE PAST THEY REPRESENT ANYONE AGAINST THE DISTRICT, EVEN WITHIN SIDE OF THAT, WORKING FOR THE CITY, AND YOU JUST KIND OF THINGS, DO YOU SEE ANY AREAS WHERE YOU
HAVE TO RECRUITYOURSELF ? >> NO, I CANNOT THINK OF ANYTHING. OUR INITIAL PROPOSAL AS FOR ANY ADVERSARIAL POSITION THAT WOULD HINDER OUR REPRESENTATION, AND
THE ANSWER IS NO. >> THANK YOU.
>> OBVIOUSLY WE ARE NOT YOUR FIRST GOAL THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH. IF YOU WERE SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR "ONBOARDING" AND HOW THAT LOOKS LIKE, WHAT THATWOULD LOOK LIKE COMING FROM YOUR SIDE . OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO HANDLE THE CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE IDEA OF WHAT
THAT LOOKS LIKE COMING UP? >> ABSOLUTELY.
THANK YOU BOARD MEMBER THOMAS. I WILL TURN IT TO JASON, BUT I WANTED TO SPEAK INITIALLY UNDER QUESTION.
I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS ANY BIG SECRET, HOPEFULLY COMES OFF VERY CLEARLY THAT BARNES AND THORNBURG IS A TEAM AT HARTFORD WE APPRECIATE APPROACH THE WORK FOR OUR CLIENTS LIKE A WELL OILED MACHINE. OUR RAMP-UP TIME PERIOD IN OUR MEETING WILL START CANDIDLY WITH YOU ALL, TO FIND OUT AGAI , DAY-TO-DAY WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATIONS OF OUR BOARD. WE HAVE DONE THAT WORK SIGNIFICANTLY IN A LOT OF OTHER PLACES, BUT PUTTING OPINION THAT, IT TURNS INTO WHAT ISSUES THIS BOARD IS CURRENTLY FACING.
POLICY, STUDENT TEACHER ISSUES, RIGHT AFTER THAT, WE WILL WANT TO START WITH PROBABLY THE MOST DIFFICULT PIECES FIRST.
IT WAS THE AMOUNT OF TIME TO FIND THE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES WITHIN BARS AND THORNBURG TO ADVISE HIM AS QUICKLY.
THEN MOVED TO THE BIWEEKLY, TWO MEETINGS A WEEK STARTING OFF WITH THE BOARD WHETHER IT IS VIRTUAL OR NOT TO GET UP TO SPEED IN THAT PERIOD. THEN, UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE TEMPLE WILL LOOK LIKE. WE HAVE RECOMMENDED WEEKLY CALLS TO TRY AND HAVE DISCUSSION POINTS WITH THE BOARD ON ISSUES THAT ARE COMING UP.
DOCTOR STOKES IS WELCOME HAVING THE DISCUSSION POINT OF THIS IS WHAT WE ARE FACING, THIS IS WHAT ISSUES ARE COMING UP THIS WEEK. WE ALSO WANT TO PUT TOGETHER A LONGER-TERM PLAN. WHAT DOES 223 LOOK LIKE FOR YOU ALL? WHAT IS BEYOND 2023 LOOK LIKE FOR YOU ALL? TAKE INTO POLICY DISCUSSION AND OF COURSE ANY MAJOR PROJECTS COMING ON THE PIPELINE FROM THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE SCHOOL CORPORATION.THE LAST PIECE, I DO WANT TO SAY, FROM TIME TO TIME DIFFERENT PROPOSALS AND
[00:15:01]
DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE ANDREW I HOPE THAT IS CLEAR, THAT IS NOT THE WAY WE WOULD OPERATE. WE WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE FEE ON A QUARTERLY BASIS WITH THE BOARD TO SEE HEY, .23 IS GOING GREAT.HERE IS FOR THE LEVEL OF WORK, WE TRACK ALL THOSE INTERNAL METRICS AND WE ARE HAPPY TO DISCUSS THEM WITH THE BOARD. THINGS ARE GOING RATES, OR, THIRD QUARTER OF 23 WE ARE RUNNING INTO A BUZZ SAW.WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE THAT ELECTABILITY WITH YOU ALL.
NOTHING LOCKS THE BOARD AND LAUNCH INTO ANY OF THAT.
WE HOPE WITH THE TEAM APPROACH PRESENTED IN THE PROPOSAL WITH ELECTABILITY, THAT ULTIMATELY WILL BRING BARNES AND THORNBURG AND HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN SCHOOLS INTO A GOOD MATCH.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> VERY BRIEFLY, THE ONLY THING THAT I WOULD ADD IS THE ONBOARDING NUMEROUS DRISCOLL DISCS OVER THE YEARS. SOME OF THE QUESTIONS YOU ANSWERED NO PROBLEM ON DAY ONE. IF A DIVORCED PARENTS BOTH WANT TO PICK UP A KID AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT TO DO? WE CAN'T ANSWER THAT WITHOUT ANY BACKGROUND.
BUT TO JAKE'S POINT, WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND TO FIND OUT WHAT POLICIES NEED TO BE TWEAKED OR CHANGED OR WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS, GETTING TO KNOW WHAT YOUR CONCERNS ARE AND ADDRESS THOSE HIGHER-LEVEL THINGS WOULD BE THE SECOND PIECE. THE DAY-TO-DAY STUFF IS NO
PROBLEM AND SECOND HEARING YOU OUT AND ACTING ON THAT.>>
THANK YOU. >> WOULD YOU GUYS BE OPEN TO CONSIDER DOING MONTHLY, DOING ANNUAL?
>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.WE WOULD BE WILLING TO ENTERTAIN ANY FEE STRUCTURE THAT THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS.
THE REASON WE PROPOSE THE MONTHLY FIXED FEE, IT IS A LITTLE MORE OF A COMMON PRACTICE IN THE MARKET.
BUT ABSOLUTELY, HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN AN ANNUAL MAC TOO.
>> CAN YOU GIVE US EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE HAD WITH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING WITHIN THE DISTRICT ?
>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION?
>> YES. >> I PERSONALLY BARGAINED HALF A DOZEN CONTRACTS EACH YEAR. THROUGHOUT THE FIRM, IT IS AT LEAST DOUBLE THAT .BOTH IN THIS AREA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE. I WILL SAY, SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS WANT TO BE THE SPOKESPERSON FOR WE ATTEND EVERY MEETING AND WE ARE THE BARGAINING SPOKESPERSON.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WANT US IN THE BACK, AND THEY WANT TEACHER TALKING DIRECTLY TO THE ADMINISTRATORS.
OCCASIONALLY, THIS IS RARE, WE ARE TOTALLY IN THE BACKGROUND.
WE ARE PHONE SUPPORT POTENTIALLY.
WE CAN DO ANY OF THOSE THINGS, WE CAN BE THE ABSOLUTE SPOKESPERSON AT THE TABLE OR SUPPORT IN ANY WAY THEY PREFER.
>> AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THAT, IS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING A PART OF THE FIXED FEE AND MONTHLY RETAINER? IT WAS NOT SPECIFICALLY LINED OUT, BUT IT WAS NOT
SPECIFICALLYEXCLUDED . >> I THINK YOU WOULD BE COMFORTABLE DOING THAT, ABSOLUTELY.
DEPENDING ON THE ISSUE, WE MAY WANT TO REVISIT IT OVER TIME,
BUT WE MAY BE COMFORTABLE. >> OKAY, THANKS.
>> COULD YOU DESCRIBE A SITUATION IN WHICH YOUR FIRM HELP THE DISTRICTAVOID UNNECESSARY LITIGATION ?
WITHOUT NAMING THE DISTRICT. >> OF COURSE.
THERE IS ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES ONLY GET THESE PHONE CALLS OF HAY, THE SITUATION IS UNFOLDING, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?FOR INSTANCE, LET'S TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION. THAT IS THE AREA AND SPECIALTY OF MINE. I PROBABLY HANDLED SEVERAL DOZEN SPECIAL EDUCATION MEETINGS, MANY MORE OVER THE YEARS. THE TYPE ADMINISTRATORS FOR MONTHS ON END. THAT IS WASTED TIME.
IF WE CAN AVOID THAT, WE SHOULD.
IF IS BY HEARING THE PARENT OUT, THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX, MEETING WITH THEM MORE OFTEN.
MAYBE YOU GET ALONG WITH ONE DEMONSTRATOR.
DIFFERENT WAYS LIKE THAT AGAIN FROM THE FACT THAT CANCER TALKING ABOUT LAWYERS ANDFILING THINGS .
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TALKING ABOUT OUTSIDE EVALUATIONS, THESE ARE ALL TELLTALE SIGNS WE ARE HEADED TO A BAD SPOT.IF YOU CAN ENGAGE THAT PARENT AND FIND A BETTER WAY TO COMMUNICATE AND NOT END UP AT A DUE PROCESS HEARING, LIGHT IS DESCRIBED TRANSLATES TO THE EMPLOYMENT CONTEXT.THE DAY-TO-DAY ADVICE ON THE FRONT AND.
>> THANK YOU. >> AS FAR AS OUR DAY-TO-DAY CONTACTS, WHO WOULD THAT BE? I DID HAVE ONE CONCERN WITH THE SPECIALIST BEING IN FORT WAYNE. WITH IT BEING MORE LOCAL, I NOTICED A DIFFERENT WORLD, I CAN PICK UP THE PHONE, IS THERE
SOMEBODY MORE LOCAL? >> ABSOLUTELY.
BOARD MEMBER ORR, THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.
WE DID TIME JASON'S DRIVE TODAY, IT WAS ONE HOUR AND 15 MINUTES ON THE NOSE. IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, IT WOULD BE CHRIS AND MYSELF. ON THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS, BETWEEN THE TWO OF US, WE BOTH BRING A LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE WITH GOVERNMENT ENTITIES. WITH CHRIS'S BACKGROUND AND THE EDUCATION, HE LIVES HERE CANDIDLY.
HE KNOWS THE INS AND OUTS OF THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.
WE LOOK AT JASON AS WHAT YOU EXPECT FOR A SPECIALIST IN THE K-12 SPACE THAT WE FEEL THAT THERE ARE ISSUES PRESENTED TO THE BOARD AND WE WILL HAVE CHALLENGING DISCUSSIONS THAT NEED THAT 20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
BUT, WE ALSO WANT TO BE BOOTS ON THE GROUND PRESENT, AND THAT
IS CHRIS AND MYSELF. >> I WILL KEEP GOING IF NOBODY ELSE HAS ANYTHING. TALK ABOUT BEING A FULL-SERVICE PROVIDER THAT WILL BUNDLE SERVICES, YOU REPRESENT SO MANY OTHER DISTRICTS. IT IS NICE TO HAVE EXPERIENCE.
AND THAT TIME, HAVE YOU RUN INTO ANYTHING WHERE YOU HAVE TO OUTSOURCE AND GET INTO OTHER THINGS? I WOULD EXPECT THE ANSWER IS NOT A LOT, BUT YOU'VE DONE THIS
BEFORE? >> IS A FAIR QUESTION AND IT IS EXTRAORDINARILY RARE. I WILL SAY, WE CAN HANDLE 99.9% OF THINGS. I KNOW OTHER FIRMS SPECIALIZE IN SCHOOL LAW THAT HAVE TO OUTSOURCE, WE DO NOT DO THAT.
I'M TRYING TO THINK, AND THE 22 YEARS I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS, WHATEVER THEY HAD TO OUTSOURCE? THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF IS ONE TIME, WE NEED TO GET SOME KIND OF RADIO LICENSE FROM THE FCC. WE HAD TO FIND A LITTLE BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM IN WASHINGTON D.C. TO HELP US GET THAT DONE.
I'M ALWAYS AMAZED AT BARNES AND THORNBURG.
WE TALK ABOUT OFFICERS FAR AWAY, YOU MAY SAY WHO CARES? WE DO NOT NEED A LAWYER IN UTAH.
THE POINT OF THE ADVERTISING AND MARKETING THERE IS THAT THOSE FOLKS MAY HAVE A SPECIALTY THAT YOU DO NEED.
THEY MAY BE AN EXPERT IN ENVIRONMENTAL LAWWHEN YOU FIND A TANK OF POISON CHEMICAL, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT .
LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. WE HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT DATA BREACHES AND SCHOOLS BEING HELD HOSTAGE.
I KNOW MY GUY JASON BERNSTEIN IN ATLANTA IS THE GUY TO GO TO.
SO MUCH SO, THAT I HADN'T PRESENTED THE SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS THAT HE IS SUCH AN EXPERT.
THAT IS WHAT HE DOES ALL DAY EVERY DAY.
IT IS OUTSIDE OF MY EXPERTISE, WE WILL CALL ONE OF THESE GUYS TO GET IT DONE. THAT IS A PART OF THE EXPERIENCE. TO DIRECTLY ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IS EXTREMELY RARE, IF EVER.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. IT IS WORTH NOTING AS WE ARE AND WORK SESSION DISCUSSION HERE, AS HE POINTED OUT, ALL THOSE OTHERAREAS , IT IS NICE TO HAVE A LARGE AND DIVERSE LAW FIRM. WHILE THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT HAD PARTICULAR INSTANCES OF SUING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND REPRESENTING THE PARENTS, I WOULD BET THERE SOMEBODY ACROSS THECOUNTRY WHO HAS . I WOULD LIKE SOMEBODY WHO IS LOTS OF DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES AND DIVERSE OPINIONS SO WE ARE NOT ALL COMING AT IT FROM ONE ANGLE, THAT IS IMPORTANT, SO I
APPRECIATE THAT. >> SO AS YOU WORK WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS, LOOKING AT IT FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION AND WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU, WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS THAT YOU REQUIRE OF A CLIENT IN ORDER TO
[00:25:02]
ENSURE THAT THAT RELATIONSHIP IS A SUCCESSFUL ONE?>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. CANDIDLY, IT IS TWO FOLD.
THE NUMBER ONE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS IN THIS BOARD IS THE GOVERNMENTAL UNIT OF THE - - THE BOARD OPERATIONS SHOULD BE SMOOTH ACROSS THE BOARD. THAT IS, THE BLOCKING AND TACKLING OF LEGAL ADVICE. THAT IS, WE SIT THERE, OR THERE OR WHEREVER, AND WE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR WORKSTATIONS ARE APPROPRIATE AND NOTICED AND THAT YOUR BOARD MEETINGS RUN EXACTLY HOW YOU ALL ENVISION THEM TO RUN AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LAW. LET'S PUT OUR OPINION THAT, THAT IS BASE LEVEL OF WORK. WHAT A WIND LOOKS LIKE FOR US, THE CHALLENGING ISSUES THAT WE GET ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. IF AND WHEN, THERE ARE MORE COMPLICATED THINGS THAT COME UP, WE WORK TOGETHER AND WE STAND STAND SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH YOU IN DEFENDING THESE BOARD'S ACTIONS AND THE LEGAL JUSTIFICATION FOR THOSE ACTIONS. THAT IS THE WIN FOR US.
WE ALSO RENTED TIMES CANDIDLY, WE PRESENT YOU ALL WITH AN ARRAY OF CHOICES. A WIN IS YOU WILL MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS IN VOTES THAT IS DEFENDED AND BACKED UP BY GOOD LAW. WE WOULD ALL LOVE A WORLD WHERE THERE IS NO NEED TO BE AROUND ALL THE TIME, STATED AGAINST MY OWN INTEREST. BUT, THAT IS NOT THE CASE AND IT IS NOT THE CASE TODAY, OR ONE YEAR, OR FIVE YEARS FROM NOW. THE OTHER SIDE TOO IS THE EXPECTATION FROM CLIENT SIDE. THIS IS KEY.
IT IS A TWO WAY STREET, WE MEET AND WORK TOGETHER TO ENACT YOUR VISION FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. BUT, MAKE NO MISTAKE, IT IS TRANSPARENCY WITH US, IT IS COMMUNICATION ON ISSUES THAT YOU BELIEVE ARE GOING TO BE IMPORTANT.
IF THEY ARE NOT IMPORTANT TODAY, THEY COULD BE IMPORTANT SIX MONTHS FROM NOW. AND, WHAT THOSE DISCUSSIONS LOOK LIKE. WE APPRECIATE AND SET UP A ROUTINE STRUCTURE OF COMMUNICATION, WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE, WHATEVER THE BOARD IS WILLING OR WANTING TO SET UP. WE ARE HAPPY TO ACCOMMODATE THAT. WE ALL KNOW CANDIDLY YOU ARE PRIVATE LIVES AND DO OTHER THINGS.
WHAT OTHER WHATEVER THAT STRUCTURE LOOKS LIKE.
THAT IS COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPARENCY WITH US.
WE ARE IN THE FOXHOLE TOGETHER. WE ARE HELPING YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS, AND WE WANT THEM AT THAT LEVEL OF PARTNERSHIP.
>> WE HAVE ONE MORE THAT I THOUGHT OF, THERE ARE OTHER AREAS THAT ARESTARTING TO AFFECT SCHOOLS .
THIS MAY BE STEALING A LITTLE BIT OF THUNDER FROM OUR NEXT WORK SESSION, AS WE START TO VENTURE INTO OTHER ROLES, ONE OF THE MAIN HEALTHCARE ASPECTS OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, HOW IS YOUR FIRM SET UP TO DEAL WITH THAT? DO YOU HAVE CLIENT IN THE HEALTHCARE SPACE, HOSPITALS? SPECIFICALLY THINKING OF MENTAL HEALTH AS WE SERVICE ALL THOSE NEEDS. THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT, MY BACKGROUND IS IN INSURANCE, THEY BECOME VERY DIFFERENT VERY FAST. THE CLAIMS ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM A COMMERCIAL CLAIM TO A HEALTHCARE CLAIM .
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, IS ALL DIFFERENT.
>> I MAY SPEAK A LITTLE BIT AND TURN IT OVER ON THE ACTUAL MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, I LOOK AT THIS AS THE SPECTRUM OR CONTINUUM OF HOW THINGS COME TO FRUITION. TODAY, WE ARE TRACKING THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GOALS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
WE ARE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THAT SPACE.
AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS TRYING TO CRAFT PATHWAYS TO ASSIST COMMUNITIES WITH THE COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH ADDICTIONS THAT BECOME MORE AND MORE PREVALENT ACROSS THE BOARD.
IT STARTS THERE, NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE LAW IS CRAFTED AND WHEN IT TAKES EFFECT.
THEN, AS IT GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS, BARS AND THORNBURG HAVE EXTENSIVE HEALTHCARE PRACTICE.
WE ALSO TRACK COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS.
THE PRIVATE SIDE OF THINGS TOO THE OTHER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
[00:30:03]
SERVICES AROUND THE AREA, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY WHERE CHRIS'S EXPERIENCE BRINGS IN A LOT OF BENEFIT TO THE TEAM.WE SEE THIS AS YOU ALL ARE, ONE OF SEVERAL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS UNITS IN THIS AREA WITH COLLABORATION OF RESOURCES AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE OVERTIME. IT IS ECONOMIES OF SCALE, LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO STRETCH THE DOLLAR AND SERVE THE STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY LONG-TERM.
I THINK WE BRING THE FULL CONTINUUM OF UNDERSTANDING IN THAT. JASON, AM I MISSING ANYTHING?
>> THE ONLY THING I ADD IS I KNOW MY LIMITATIONS.
AN EXTRA SPECIAL EDUCATION, AND HEALTH DISTRICTS ENGAGE THIRD-PARTY MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.
WE ALL KNOW THAT STUDENT SAFETY IS TOP OF THE LIST AND THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS ONE PIECE OF THAT STRUGGLE.
I KNOW MY LIMITATIONS. I'M NOT AN EXPERT IN HEALTHCARE LAW DID IF WE ARE INTO COMPLEX, HEALTH INSURANCE, GOVERNMENT PAYMENT STUFF, AND MICHAEL TO FAKE IT.
BUT IF IT IS HELPING YOUR SPECIAL ED DIRECTOR FIGURE OUT THE BEST PROVIDER TO TRY AND HELP SOME OF THESE KIDS WITH BEHAVIORS THAT ARE CONCERNING, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE
DONE, HANDLED AND NEGOTIATED. >> I HAVE JUST ONE MORE
QUESTION. >> THIS WILL BE THE LAST ONE.
>> THAN IT IS A GOOD ONE TO AND ON.WE ARE INNOVATING INTEGRATING TWO OTHER PHENOMENAL LAW FIRMS. WHAT IS YOUR KEY DIFFERENCE THAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT COMPARED TO THE OTHER VIEW TWO LAW FIRMS?
>> THANK YOU. THAT IS A TOUGH QUESTION, THEY WILL USE MY ANSWER AGAINST ME. JUST KIDDING.
WE ARE ALL FRIENDS - - INDIANAPOLIS IS A BIG, SMALL TOWN. WE ALL KNOW THE LEGAL COMMUNITY AND WORK IN A DIFFERENT SPACES. I FROM THE DIFFERENTIATING QUALITY IS TWO FOLD. NUMBER ONE, I DO THINK THAT OUR GOAL IN LIFE IS TO GIVE THE SPORT A SENSE OF KNOWLEDGE, UPFRONT KNOWLEDGE AND ASSURANCES.
WE DO NOT LIKE OPEN-ENDED BILLING AND CONTINUE, CONTINUE, CONTINUE.IT ULTIMATELY DETERIORATES THE RELATIONSHIP OVER TIME. THIS IS A JUMPING OFF POINT FOR US. THE ROLES AND THE WORK TOGETHER MOLDS AND GELS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
SO ASSURANCES IN THAT SPACE IS NUMBER ONE.
NUMBER TWO IS THE PLATFORM. THE PLATFORM IS SIGNIFICANT.
I THINK TODAY, 23 OFFICERS, 19 STATES AND 750 LAWYERS.
WE OPERATE AS A LARGE, NATIONAL LAW FIRM WITH MIDWESTERN VALUE . THIS IS FOR EVERYTHING, THE CENTER OF OUR LARGEST OFFICES HERE IN OUR BACKYARD.
WE TAKE THAT TO HEART. WE HOPE THAT WE COMBINE THAT SORT OF MIDWESTERN CENTRIC OF OUR LAW FIRM WITH A NATIONAL PLATFORM. WHATEVER QUESTIONS AND ITEMS FACED THIS BOARD, WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO HAS SEEN IT BEFORE, CAN ADVISE YOU ON IT. WE CAN FIND THAT SOLUTION, INSTANCES WITH THE EXPOSURE TO THE HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN SCHOOL. THOSE TWO THINGS ARE
DIFFERENTIAL QUALITIES. >> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR
BEING HERE, WE APPRECIATEIT . >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[00:36:11]
>> GOOD EVENING. I WILL REINTRODUCE MYSELF, I AM A PARTNER AT CHURCH, CHURCHILL AND ANDREWS.
I AM A RESIDENCY IN AGENCY GRADUATE.
I MET PARTNER ANDREW, TWO BRIEF INTRODUCE YOURSELF? [INAUDIBLE]. ANDREW AND I ARE TACKLING TONIGHT AS A TEAM, THOSE WERE I WANT TO START WITH THE PREPARE MATERIALS TONIGHT. THIS FIRST SLIDE SHOWS 10 ATTORNEYS. THOSE 10 ATTORNEYSENCOMPASS OUR SCHOOL TEAM . THEY PRACTICE EXCLUSIVELY SCHOOL LAW, BRINGING A DEPTH AND BREATH TO OUR TEAM THAT WE BELIEVE SETS US APART. IN ADDITION, IN THE LOWER RIGHT CORNER, I WROTE +10. THEY INDICATE THE 10 ATTORNEYS THAT REGULARLY PROVIDE SUPPORT TO OUR SCHOOL AND LOST TEAM.
THAT SUPPORT COMES IN A MYRIAD OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
IT COMES IN THE FORMAT OF LITIGATORS WHO SHUFFLE CASES THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM. IT COMES IN THE FORM OF BUSINESS ATTORNEYS AND REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS.
THIS DEPTH AND BREATH OF OUR TEAM HAS LED US TO CREATE A STATEWIDE SCHOOL LAW PRACTICE. THIS MAP IS ESSENTIALLY A VISUALIZATION WITH A LIST OF CLIENTS WE PROVIDED TO YOU IN OUR RFP SUBMISSION. THESE CLIENTS ARE CLIENTS THAT WE PROVIDE DAY-TO-DAY SCHOOL LAW SCIENCE STUPID THEY SPEND THE WHOLE STATE AND RURAL DISTRICTS, URBAN DISTRICTS, SUBURBAN DISTRICTS, BIG DISTRICTS AND SMALL DISTRICTS.
WE NEED THOSE CLIENTS WERE THOSE NEEDS ARE.
THAT BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER POINT.
OUR PHILOSOPHY WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING SCHOOL LAW LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU WILL BEAR WITH ME, IT REALLY HARKENS BACK TO HIS PROFESSIONAL ETHICS.
MY GOAL IN PROVIDING LEGAL GUIDANCE TO ANY SCHOOL CLIENT IS TO FIRST PROVIDE YOU WITH THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE LAW.
WHETHER IT IS UP-TO-DATE CASE LAW, RECENT - - NO LAW THAT SPEAKS TO THE PRESENT ISSUE. SO OFTEN WE FIND THE LAW HAS NOT KEPT THE PACE WITH WHAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS FACE.
WITH THAT OUTLINE THE STATUS OF THE LAW IS TO PROVIDE A SPECTRUM OF OPTIONS AND PATHS FORWARD.
I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL RISKS OF EACH OF THOSE OPTIONS. WHEN I SAY RISKS, I'M TALKING WITH THE LEGAL RISKS. I AM TALKING ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE LIKELY TO BE SUED AND IF YOU ARE SUED, WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE LIKELY TO PREVAIL IN THAT LAWSUIT.
I WILL LIKE TO SAY THAT OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP OUR CLIENTS FROM BEING SUED, BUT IF YOU ARE NOT YET AWARE, YOU CAN SUE A HAM SANDWICH.IT IS THE BEST CASE NEW TO PUT IN THE BEST LEGAL DEFENSIBLE POSITION. IN THAT PROCESS, AND NO POINT AM I TO DICTATE YOUR APPROACH OR PATH FORWARD IS.
INSTEAD, YOU THE INFORMATION TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION BASED ON THE PROS AND CONS, THE LEGAL RISKS.
THE THIRD THING I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO CCHA IS VALUE. FIRST AND FOREMOST, CCHA IS A MIDSIZED LAW FIRM HAS BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN A VERY SUFFICIENT HOURLY RATES. ADDITIONAL EFFICIENCIES COME BECAUSE OF THAT FIRST SLIDE, 10 ATTORNEYS THAT EXCLUSIVELY SCHOOL LAW. TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, YOU ARE NOT WAITING FOR ME TO GIVE YOU A CALL BACK IF I'M NOT AVAILABLE. ANDREW, AMY AND THE OTHER LAW PARTNERS ARE READILY AVAILABLE TO HANDLE WHATEVER ISSUES COME UP BECAUSE THAT IS THEIR PRACTICE TOO.
WE ALSO SEE PROCESS VALUE AT OUR TRANSPARENT FEES.
WE HAVE PROPOSED, THIS IS OUR CURRENT SETUP, A GENERAL RETAINER OF $15,000 PER MONTH. THANK YOU, 1500, WOW, THAT WENT
[00:40:08]
UP EXPONENTIALLY, DIDN'T IT? FOR ROUTINE DAY-TO-DAY QUESTIONS. THAT INCLUDES ALL AREAS.IT INCLUDES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, STUDENT ISSUES AND SPECIAL EDUCATION. BEYOND THAT, WE WILL BILL AT OUR HOURLY RATE WHICH IS INCLUDED HERE FOR YOU.
THAT GENERAL RETAINE CAN INCLUDE MEETINGS WITH THE BOARD, MEETINGS WITH ADMIN WHICH WE DO ON A REGULAR BASIS.
THEY CAN ALSO BE GEARED TO WHATEVER YOU WANTED TO BE.
ALSO, WILL BE TOO PROVIDE THOSE BILLS THINK OUTSIDE OF THE RETAINER, WE PROVIDE DETAILED INVOICES SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT YOU ARE BILLING FOR. AT ANY POINT YOU HAVE ISSUES, WE WELCOME THAT FEEDBACK. WE ALSO WILLING TO LOOK AT OUR ARRANGEMENT TO SEE IF IT IS WORKING FOR US.
I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT TALK ABOUT THE AREAS THAT WERE DISCUSSED AT THE LAST WORK SESSION.
I HEARD A LOT ABOUT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
CCHA IS A LEADER IN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
AMY MATTHEWS, YOU MAY HAVE HER NAME AT THE LAST WORK SESSION - - STATE AGENCY THAT OVERSEES ALL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BETWEEN TEACHERS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
SHE HAS A PLETHORA OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS ERA.
ANDREW REGULARLY DOES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
IN ANY GIVEN YEAR, THEY DO 60 DIFFERENT AGREEMENTS ACROSS THE STAGE. THAT BRINGS EFFICIENCY AND CREATIVITY THAT YOU MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE HAVE ACCESS TO.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND EMPLOYMENT LAW GO HAND IN HAND.
MYSELF, ANDREW, AMY, WE ALL CONSIDER OURSELVES EXPERTS.
I HEARD MENTION OF A REFERENDUM.
MORE RECENTLY, WE REPRESENT WESTFIELD WASHINGTON SCHOOLS.
E WILL NOT TAKE CREDIT FOR THE REFERENDUM, - - MAKES IT TO THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.I HEARD ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION AND EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS. WE HAVE AT LEAST SIX ATTORNEYS THAT REGULARLY ANSWER QUESTIONS ON SPECIAL EDUCATION.
WE ALSO HANDLE APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION DUE PROCESS CASES THAT COME THROUGH THE STATE.
WHILE WE TRY TO WORK WITH PARENTS, WE WILL WERE TO REACH A RESOLUTION FOR THE DISTRICT WHETHER THAT IS THROUGH THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT OR TO GO THROUGH THE HEARING.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT POLICY. I DO NOT THINK THERE IS ANOTHER PRIVATE LAW FIRM DURING THE COMPREHENSIVE LAW FROM THAT CCHA IS DOING. WE CAN PREPARE WITH NEW POLICIES THAT THE BOARD IS REQUIRING TO ADOPT AND REVISIONS TO EXISTING POLICIES THAT MAY BE NECESSARY.
ANYTHING FURTHER THAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS LOOK AT POLICY WISE. FACILITIES, REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION. CCHA HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY THAT YOU WILL BE WORKING WITH.
WE ALSO HAVE THE PROFESSIONAL AND EXPERIENCE TO WORK THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES AND THE REAL ESTATE ISSUE THAT MAY COME UP, HOWEVER THE DISTRICT DECIDES TO MOVE.
ONE THING I DID NOT HEAR THE WORK SESSION THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT,BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT SETS CCHA APART , WE ARE ON INSURANCE PANELS. THAT MEANS WHEN A DISTRICT HAS A CLAIM, A LAWSUIT MOST OF THE TIME BUT ALSO OTHER TYPES OF CLAIMS ARE COVERED BY INSURANCE, CCHA IS REGULARLY APPOINTED TO PROVIDE DEFENSE OF THE CORPORATION.THAT LEADS TO AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF EFFICIENCY.
SELDOM DO THESE ISSUES COME OUT OF NOWHERE.
NORMALLY, YOUR ADMINISTRATOR ALREADY DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES BEFORE THE ELEVATOR THE ASH LEVEL OF MEETING AN INSURANCE CLAIM.IT DID NOT NEED TO BRING THE COUNCIL UP TO SPEED WHEN THEY ARE REGULARLY APPOINTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND CAN CONTINUE LOCKSTEP WITH ADMINISTRATORS WITHOUT HAVING TO SPEND EXTRA TIME AND ENERGY TO BRING SOMEONE ELSE ALONGSIDE. THIS EXAMPLE WAS TIMELY, WE WERE RECENTLY NAMED LIBERTY MUTUAL'S OUTSIDE COUNCIL OF THE YEAR FOR 2022, WE WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU.
AS FAR AS HSC COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, I AM ON THE PROGRAM BOARD. I PARTNER IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION. WE ARE THE TITLE SPONSOR FOR ONE'S OWN - - REGULARLY INVOLVED WITH THESE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN ADDITION TO OTHERS.
WITH THAT, I WILL TURN THINGS OVER TO ANDREW TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE BEFORE WE TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. JESSICA JUST AN EXCELLENT JOB.
I WILL TRY AND HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF KEY COMPONENTS.
AS SHE DESCRIBED WITH THAT MAP THAT WE HAVE A HARD IN YOUR BINDER, IN THAT MAP YOU CAN SEE THAT WE DESIGN OUR SCHOOL LAW
[00:45:05]
PRACTICE TO BE A STATEWIDE MBS SPECIFIC THE SCHOOL PROCESS, EVEN OUTSIDE OF HAMILTON COUNTY.EACH MONDAY CANNOT WE CONVENE OUR SCHOOL LAW PARTNERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE. MARYSVILLE, FORT WAYNE, FISHER . MONDAY MORNING, WE TALK ABOUT THE TRENDS GOING ON ACROSS THE STATE WITHOUT SCHOOL LAW PARTNERS. IN ADDITION, - - LEAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY MEETING WITH OTHER SCHOOL ATTORNEYS.
LOOKING AT FEDERAL, NATIONAL TRENDS HAPPENING AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, THAT INVOLVEMENT OF THE NATIONAL LEVEL HAS BEEN A PLUS FOR JESSE DESCRIBED A LITTLE BIT OF OUR PHILOSOPHY. IN YOUR BINDER, WE LEFT BOTH OF OUR BUSINESS CARDS IN OUR CELL PHONE NUMBERS ON THEIR IN THE FUTURE, WHATEVER STYLE YOU PREFER, HOWEVER YOU DECIDE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR COUNCIL, TYPICALLY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE BOARD PRESIDENT. IT IS DESIGNED TO BE WHATEVER STYLE AND COMMUNICATION YOU WILL LIKE TO SET UP.
DAY-TO-DAY, WE NORMALLY HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD ARE HOT BUTTON ISSUES. I WANTED TO TRY AND GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF THAT HOTLINE ISSUE. WE HAVE 100% OF MY PRACTICE AS SCHOOL LAW, WE GET A QUESTION THAT COMES IN ABOUT STUDENT RECORDS, THE FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT.
WE CAN PROBABLY ANSWER THAT FAIRLY QUICKLY ON THE PHONE GOING THROUGH YOUR GENERAL RETAINER FOR I WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO POINT OUT AS WELL, HER LIFETIME OF THE RECESSION TALKING ABOUT HOW DO YOU COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES IN YOUR BUILDING. I CAME UP WITH THIS FORMULA THAT I THOUGHT OF LAST NIGHT. THINK ABOUT YOUR RACE, AT WHAT RATE YOU'RE GETTING, AND HOPEFULLY LOOKING AT YOUR PROPOSAL YOU CAN TELL WHERE OUR RATED LANDS ON THE SPECTRUM.
THE EFFICIENCIES, ONE OF THOSE I JUST DESCRIBED, HOW QUICKLY WE CAN ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS. THE VARIABLE AND THE FORMULA IS THE AMOUNT OF WORK. DEPENDING ON ANY SORT OF MONTH, THIS USUALLY DOES NOT HAPPEN, BUT IF YOU HAVE A SLOW MONTH, YOU GET A $1500 RETAINER, THERE'S NOTHING BEYOND THAT.
TRYING TO DO THE BEST YOU CAN TOO COME UP WITH AN APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON. EACH YEAR WE REEVALUATE OURSELVES TO SEE HOW YOU WANT TO - - SCHOOL CORPORATION.WE DO THINGS THAT ARE NOTED IN YOUR BINDER.
THE REASON FOR THE BINDER WAS TO GIVE YOU SOME DIFFERENT EXAMPLES. THE END OF EACH LEGISLATIVE SESSION, BEHIND TAB NUMBER FIVE, WE DO AN ANNUAL CLIENT SEMINAR. THIS YEAR, THAT IS ON MAY 3. WE TRY TO SUMMARIZE CURRENT TOPIC , AND THAT IS COME UP IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. YOU CAN SEE AN EXAMPLE OF THAT BEHIND TAB FIVE. SEND OUT CLIENT ALERTS, EXAMPLE OF THOSE ARE BEHIND TAB ONE OF YOUR BINDER.
WE WANTED TO GIVE YOU SOME REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE OTHER THINGS AS A NEW BOARD, BUT WE SEND OUT AND WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE IN YOUR BINDER. THIS YEAR, WE ARE TRYING TO LAUNCH A NEW INITIATIVE, WE WILL BE LAUNCHING A NEW INITIATIVE. YOU CAN HAVE A SPOTLIGHT ON LEGAL ISSUES QUARTERLY,HAVING SOME TOPICS .
FINALLY, BEHIND TAB NUMBER TWO, ARE THE LEGISLATIVE REPORTS THAT WE PUT OUT EACH WEEK DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
I DO NOT WANT TO COMMENT ON THAT.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOBBYING AND LEGISLATIVE.
WE HAVE REGISTERED LOBBYIST, BUT THE DISTINCTION IS WE MEET WITH LEGISLATORS, WE MEET WITH LOBBYIST AND DID THE WEEKLY.
WE TRIED TO PROVIDE A SUMMARY OF THE EXAMPLE BEHIND TAB NUMBER TWO EACH WEEK DURING THE SESSION.
IF YOU WANTED US TO GO BEYOND THAT, WE CERTAINLY CAN.
THERE ARE SPECIFIC PEOPLE THAT DO LOBBYING, AND WE HAVE LOBBYISTS, THAT HER LAST WEEK IN THE PAST.
I THINK THE Y Y ARE THE DEPTH OF OUR TEAM, THE SPIDERS BENEFITING ON THE TEAM, BARGAINING.
WE HAD COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IS SPECIFICALLY INTEREST-BASED BARGAINING. THAT IS A DIFFERENT STYLE OF BARGAINING THAT BRINGS IN THE INTEREST OF THE BOARD, THE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
INTEREST-BASED BARGAINING, AMY MATTHEWS THAT DOES IT ALL THE TIME. JESSE CITED 60 - - LAST, THE
[00:50:02]
EFFICIENCY FACTOR DESCRIBED WITH YOUR RATES AND YOUR EFFICIENCY. THOSE ARE PRESENTATION PIECES.JESSE AND I ARE BOTH READY TO TAKE QUESTIONS.
>> I WILL OPEN IT UP TO THE BOARD FOR QUESTIONS.
>> SINCE CURRENTLY NOW WE ARE USING YOU GUYS, WHAT WOULD WE USE THE CHANGES TO WAYS OF WORKING?
>> I AM NOT SURE IT IS NECESSARILY THAT I CHANGE, BUT AN ADAPTATION. AS THE FOUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS GET UP TO SPEED AND HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF HOW YOU WANT YOUR LEGAL RELATIONSHIP TO LOOK AND HOW YOU WANT COMMUNICATION TO FLOW, WHETHER THAT IS MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH THE BOARD AND REGULAR UPDATES, SOMETHING ELSE LIKE THAT, IT IS MORE OF AN ADAPTATION THAN AN IMPROVEMENT.
THIS BECAUSE I THINK EMILY WOULD WANT TO CHANGE WITH THE
BOARD. >> I WOULD SAY THE SAME.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SCHOOL BOARDS THAT ASK FOR A MONTHLY MEDICATION REPORT OR STATUS REPORT ON MEETINGS WITH PROJECTS GOING ON. WHETHER YOU WANT TO THAT IN
WRITING OR IN PERSON. >> ARE THE IMPROVEMENT THAT YOU
WANT TO SEE? >> OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW MEMBERS ON YEAR, SO I WAS OPENING UP THE TABLE TO SEE IF THERE ARE WAYS, IT'S A TWO-WAY STREET, TO SEE IF WE CAN SEE
YOUR INPUT. >> I THINK WE WOULD BE REMISS IF WE DID NOT THINK YOU FOR ALL THE SERVICE WE HAVE DONE.
WE THANK YOU, YOU'VE BEEN A GREAT WORK BEING HERE VERY SHORT TIME. JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR APPROVAL OF DONE UPTO THIS POINT .
I DID HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
I ASKED THE LAST GROUP AND I WILL ASK YOU AS WELL.
A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT BECAUSE YOU ARE ALREADY OUR TEAM, BUT THIS IS ALSO GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC TO HEAR AS WELL.
OUTSOURCING, THINGS THAT YOU HAVE HAD TO GIVE TO OTHER FIRMS I THINK YOU ARE NOT DOING, THE LOBBYING WORK RIGHT NOW.
WHAT ARE THOSE AREAS? ARE THERE MORE AREAS THAT YOU COULD TAKE THE IN HOUSE, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?
>> I THINK THE TWO AREAS YOU MENTIONED, WE ARE HAPPY TO STRIKE THE BALANCE. WE DO TO PEOPLE ACTIVE TALKING TO LEGISLATORS. AS AN EXAMPLE, I AM A LEGISLATORS REGISTERED LOBBYIST MYSELF.
YOU WANT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, AND WHEN YOU GET THE BEST VALUE OUT OF THE AS WELL? WHAT ORGANIZATIONS ARE PUSHING THAT INFORMATION TO YOU, SO YOU WANT TO BE EFFICIENT IN THAT REGARD.
AS A LOCAL BOND COUNCIL, WE WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE PROCEDURES IN THE MEETINGS EVERYTHING IS NOTICE IN THE NEWSPAPER. WE DO NOT DO THAT COMPONENTS.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CURRENTLY HSC HAS OUR COUNCIL.
I DO NOT HESITATE US DOING THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN EXPLORE, IF YOU WANTED US TO.
>> I AM NOT SURE I HAVE A GREAT - - I REALIZED ASK FOR INPUT FROM OUR ADMINISTRATION AS FAR AS THOSE? WE CAN DO THAT SEPARATELY? WE CAN DISCUSS THAT AT ANOTHER
TIME THEN, THANK YOU. >> AS WE TALK ABOUT EFFICIENCY, YOU REPRESENT ALL THE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTY AS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE EFFICIENCIES THAT PROVIDES TO US AND EVEN TO THE OTHER DISTRICTS?
>> SURE. EVERY DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY WILL BE A PART OF PURSUING INSTITUTE AND CURRENTLY THE PROCESS. WE DID NOT HAVE TO HAVE SIX DIFFERENT MEETINGS AND ONE PHONE CALL AND COMMUNICATE WITH ALL THE SUPERINTENDENTS TO GET THAT DONE REALLY EFFICIENTLY,
THERE IS NO COST TO ANYBODY. >> THANK YOU.
[00:55:05]
>> I THINK YOU'LL BE GOOD TO POINT OUT TO THE BOARD, I MADE A SIMILAR COMMENT, I VALUE THE EFFICIENCY IN THE TAXPAYERS MONEY. THERE'S ALSO VALUE IN A DIVERSITY OF OPINIONS. WHILE THAT IS FANTASTIC, PERHAPS IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE ONE OF THE GROUP LOOK AT THINGS AND PROVIDE THE PERSPECTIVE ON IT.
I FEEL THE BENEFITS COME I DON'T DISAGREE WITH ANY OF THE BENEFITS. BUT ESSENTIALLY ONE GROUP EVALUATED EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY.
THERE WAS NO EXTRA THOUGHT THERE.
>> ONE DIFFERENT EXAMPLE, IF WE GET A COMMON QUESTION WE HAVE SCHOOL LAW PARTNERS AND THAT QUESTION HIT THAT HSC, IT IS EASY FOR US TO THE MONDAY MEETING THAT WE HAVE AND BRING AN ANSWER BASED IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHER
AREAS OF THE STATE. >> AN AREA THAT WE ARE - - EXPANDING SERVICE INTO OTHER AREAS THAT ARE NOT PARTICULARLY EDUCATION. CERTAINLY VERY RELATED BUT SOME OF THE HEALTHCARE AREAS AND MENTAL HEALTH SPECIFICALLY, HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR FIRM IS EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THAT? DO YOU HAVE SPECIALIST, WOULD YOU HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE?
>> WE HAVE A PARTNER IN OUR FIRM WHO DOES BENEFITSAND HEALTHCARE WORK , THAT WOULD BE ALL IN-HOUSE.
ANDREW? >> MY DIFFERENT ANGLE WILL BE TOO TALK ABOUT MY BACKGROUND. WE WERE IN THE HALLWAY SO WE HEARD THE FIRST ANSWER ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION.
UNDERSTANDING THAT CHAIRING THE COMMITTEE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, WHEN I O LOOK AT IS DISTINGUISHING WHAT WE DO IN SCHOOLS EDUCATIONALLY AND WHAT GOES ON IN THE HOME I'VE BEEN OUTSIDE OF SCHOOLS.THERE ARE COURT DECISIONS IN ALL THESE AN EDUCATIONAL ROLE.T US HAVING- SO, TRYING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN FOR PARENTS AND DEMONSTRATORS INTHE BOARD AND EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN OUR SCHOOLCOMMUNITY , TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE SCHOOL PROVIDES EDUCATION .
WE CERTAINLY WANT TO BE AWARE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECTS AND TRY TO OVERLAY AND WRAP AROUND WITH SERVICES THAT ARE OUT THERE.
BUT, WE ALSO HAVE TO ADDRESS EDUCATIONALLY WHAT IS GOING ON.
THAT IS OUR FOCUS. >> I WILL EXPAND ON BEN'S QUESTION. AS WE STEP INTO THAT ROLE, MY MINDSET GOES TO PROVIDER RELATIONSHIPS.
AS WE ADOPT PEOPLE, HOW DO WE SEPARATE PATIENT INFORMATION, IF YOU WILL? NOW, ARE THEY A STUDENT OR ARE THEY A PATIENT? THE OUR HIPPO LAWS.THEIR TECHNOLOGY ISSUES AROUND DATA PRIVACY AND HOW IS ALL OF THAT EVOLVING. AS WE CO-MINGLED THESE FUNCTIONAL ROLES IN THE SCHOOL SETTING , HOW DO WE AS A DISTRICT ESSENTIALLY SEPARATE CHURCH AND STATE, IF YOU WILL? COMING FROM THAT LENS IS WHAT I AM TRYING TO SEE THAT THERE ARE SPECIFIC LEGAL REQUIREMENTS THAT DEFINE EACH OF THOSE AND HOW WE TAKE THE STUDENT THROUGH THE PROCESS, AT WHAT POINT DO THEY REMAIN A STUDENT PURSUE BECOMING A PATIENT AND THE CLINICAL CASES THAT FALL WITH IT? CANYOU ELABORATE MORE ON THOSE TYPES OF SERVICES ? IF THAT IS SOMETHING YOU ALL CAN FILTER OUT INTERNALLY OR BRING IN OUTSIDE COUNSEL, THAT IS NOT A BAD THING BUT IT MIGHT HELP US UNDERSTAND YOUR PROCES .
>> IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW YOU WANT TO SET UP THOSE RELATIONSHIPS. THERE ARE ABSENCES THOSE PROVIDERS BECOME EMPLOYEES OF THE DISTRICT AND THAT MAKES THEIR INFORMATION - - THE SETUP OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS IS KEEPING THEM SEPARATE, THAT CHURCH AND STATE SEPARATION YOU ARE REFERRING TO, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND HOW THOSE ORGANIZATIONS COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND HOW YOU'RE GETTING INFORMATION BACK AND FORTH AND ALL THOSE PIECES. IN SOME WAY DEPENDS ON HOW THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ARE STRUCTURES AND WE HAVE PLANS THAT STRUCTURE THEM BOTH WAYS. SOME BRING THEM IN-HOUSE AND SOME KEEP THE EMPLOYEES OF THE LARGER PROVIDER NETWORK THAT THEY ARE A PART OF. I THINK WE ARE VERY ADEPT AT NAVIGATING THE INFORMATION SHARING PROCESS DEPENDING ON WHAT THE PARTICULAR PROVIDER, WHAT THEIR STATUS IS.
>> I THINK TRAINING THEN FOR OUR TEACHERS, OUR COUNSELORS, OURADMINISTRATORS . THE COURSES EXAMPLE I CAN THINK OF IS OUR RELATIONSHIP WILL WE HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT, SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS COME IN. IF SOMETHING TURNS INTO A
[01:00:03]
CRIMINAL MATTER OR A JUVENILE DELICACY MATTER, WE HAVE HANDED OUT TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND LET THEM HANDLE IT.IN THIS INSTANCE, IF WE DO HAVE A VENDOR WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, HAVING A MEMORANDUM OF - - PROTECTION OF THAT DATA
GIVEN TO THEM. >> CAN YOU DESCRIBE A SITUATIO , NOT NECESSARILY NAMING INDIVIDUALS OR A SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT HOW YOU HAVE HELPED A DISTRICT AVOID
UNNECESSARY LITIGATION? >> SURE.
THE FIRST THING THAT COMES INTO MY MIND IS EMPLOYMENT SITUATIO , WHERE MAYBE IT IS TIME FOR A DISTRICT OR AN EMPLOYEE TO GO SEPARATE WAYS, BUT THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT LIABILITY FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER. SORT OF WORKING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND ADMINISTRATOR MY HR PERSON, TO TALK THROUGH WHAT THAT CONVERSATION IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE SO THAT RATHER THAN HAVING A SEPARATION, COMING TO SOME SORT OF RESOLUTION.THEY ARE ABLE TO GO THEIR SEPARATE WAYS WITHOUT LINGERING THOUGHT OF LIABILITY OR CONCERNS .
WITHOUT NAMING NAMES. >> WE HAVE NO OTHER QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, WE APPRECIATE THE TIME.
>> ARE YOU READY FOR ME? VERY GOOD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE INVITATION TO PRESENT TO YOU.
MY NAME IS SHAMUS. I'M A PARTNER WITH THE LAW FIRM OF KROGER - - MANY PEOPLE CALL US KGR.
I AM TOO KEEP MY LAW PARTNERS, I WILL ASK THEM TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES IN A MOMENT. I WILL START OFF BY SAYING THAT I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR EDUCATION ATTORNEY FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS. AND, I WILL LOVE FOR KGR TO BE HSC'S EDUCATION ATTORNEY FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
I AM IN EDUCATION ATTORNEY. THIS IS ALL I DO.
I WAKE UP EVERY MORNING AT 4:30 A.M., AS A FEW OF YOU CAN ATTEST TO ONLY IF COMMUNICATED IN THE PAST, AND I THINK ABOUT HOW I CAN BEST SERVE MY CLIENTS.
I LIVE, BREATHE, EVERYTHING ABOUT EDUCATION LAW AND POLICY.
I WENT TO UNDERGRAD AT WABASH COLLEGE.
I SAW FEW OF THE OTHER PRESENTERS TODAY ALSO WENT TO WABASH. A LITTLE-KNOWN FACT, WABASH, ONE OF THE FOUNDERS IS CALEB MILLS WHO WAS THE FOUNDER OF THE INDIAN EDUCATION PUBLIC SYSTEM.
HE CAME FROM DARTMOUTH IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND IRONICALLY, I
[01:05:03]
WENT TO LAW SCHOOL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.I WENT THERE BECAUSE I KNEW FROM THE OUTSET THAT I WANTED TO BE INVOLVED IN EDUCATION POLICY IN SOME WAY.
I WENT THERE TO GET MY JOINT DEGREE IN LAW AND EDUCATION, SO I DID THAT IN A THREE YEAR PROGRAM.
WHAT WAS INCREDIBLY USEFUL IN MY EXPERIENCES THERE WAS I LOOKED AT IT FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES.
I THINK ONE SUMMER, THE FIRST SUMMER, I ADVOCATED FOR PARENTS OF SPECIAL NEEDS IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA.
I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT ISSUES FROM NUMEROUS PERSPECTIVES. SO, KGR, I JOINED KGR THREE YEARS AGO. I GOT RECRUITED BY A FEW OF THE LAW PARTNERS INCLUDING THEN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE BRIAN - - WHO WANTED THE FIRM TO HAVE A LONG-TERM EDUCATION LAW PRACTICE. I WANTED TO DO SOME INNOVATIVE THINGS WHICH I WILL GO OVER IN A MOMENT.
WE ARE LOCATED ON MONUMENT CIRCLE IN INDIANAPOLIS.
WE HAVE BEEN IN DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS SINCE1937 .
IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE A JUMPING OFF POINT WHEN YOU HAVE A STATEWIDE PRACTICE, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE STATEHOUSE SO INVOLVED IN OUR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES AS WE SPEAK RIGHT NOW WHEN THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE ABOUT TO ANNOUNCE THEIR BUDGETS. WHICH HAS VERY MUCH TO DO WITH THE FUTURE OF YOUR SUCCESS AND THE REST OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
WITH THAT, I DID WANT TO HAVE MY COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND TELL THEM ABOUT THEIR PRACTICE AREAS BEFORE WE DIVE INTO OUR APPROACH WITH OUR CLIENTS.
>> BELIEVE ME, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE.
I'VE BEEN THERE SIX YEARS AND A FOCUS ON GOVERNMENT.
I HAVE A NUMBER OF CLIENTS, COUNTIES, TOWNS, TOWNSHIPS, FIRE DEPARTMENTS. PRIOR TO KGR, I WAS - - COUNCIL FOR THREE YEARS. I HAVE A BROAD RANGE OF EXPERIENCES. I'M GENERALLY WELL VERSED IN MEETINGS WHICH THE PROCUREMENT STATUTEFOR CAPITAL PROJECT .
BRIAN AND I SERVE AS COUNCIL FOR A NUMBER OF ISSUANCE FROM
MUNICIPALITIES. >> MY NAME IS BILL BOCK, I WILL NOT TELL YOU HOW LONG I'VE BEE AT THE LAW FIRM OR GIVE THAT AWAY . I HOPE THE PEOPLE HOW OLD I AM.
I HAVE BEEN AT THE FIRM FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
I AM A FORMER PARLIAMENTARIAN OF THE INDIANA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FOR 14 YEARS, I WAS GENERAL COUNSEL FOR A HIGH-PROFILE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
I'M COMFORTABLE WITH WORKING WITH BOARDS.
THE REASON I WAS HIRED TO BE THE GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THE ORGANIZATION WAS MY LITIGATION AND EXPERIENCE AND HIGH-PROFIL LITIGATION . I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BEST BOTH BE OUTSIDE AND HOW TO WIN A LAWSUIT, BUT ALSO TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE ON THE INSIDE AND BE SUED.
I UNDERSTAND WHEN AN ORGANIZATION IS SUED, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNCIL TO REFLECT THE VALUES OF THE ORGANIZATION. TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES.
AND, TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF LITIGATION THE ORGANIZATION ON A MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION.
UNDERSTANDING THAT, WHEN THE ORGANIZATION GOT SUED BY LANCE ARMSTRONG, WHO AT THE TIME WAS ONE OF THE MOST HIGHEST PROFILE ATHLETES ON THE PLANET. IN FEDERAL COURT WE REPRESENTED THE ORGANIZATION. I REALIZED THEN UNDERSTOOD HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS THAT THE DEFENDANTS REPRESENTATIVE BE
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WELL-CONNECTED TO THE ORGANIZATION AND UNDERSTAND ALL ASPECTS OF AIDS. THE WAY YOU WIN A LAWSUIT IS TO UNDERSTAND YOUR CLIENT IN THE CASE BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE COURTROOM. YOU HAVE OUR COMMITMENT FROM KGR THAT WILL BE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT YOU IN COURT, WE WILL DO EXACTLY THAT. IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YO , THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT.>> WHILE WE HAVE ONE OFFICE, WE HAVE A LOT OF ATTORNEYS BASED IN HAMILTON COUNTY. I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE, I WAS IN HAMILTON COUNTY SINCE 2006. I'M AROUND THIS AREA QUITE A BIT. I HAVE THREE DOCTORS WHO ACTIVELY TRANSPORT TO BALLET EVERY OTHER NIGHT.
I LOVE BEING IN HAMILTON COUNT .
I AM ON THE BOARD OF ONE ZONE. I AM THE CHAIR OF ONE ZONES STATE ADVOCACY COMMITTEE AS WELL AS ONE ZONES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE. I AM VERY INVESTED IN HAMILTON COUNTY, I HAVE NO PLANS TO LEAVE.
I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR DAY-TO-DAY ATTORNEY, WHO I WOULD LIKE TO BE, YOUR POINT PERSON, TO BE LOCAL.
WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING, AS MUCH AS VIRTUAL MEETINGS, TAX, PHONE CALLS ARE OKAY, SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES AN IN-PERSON MEETING. YOU WILL SEE THROUGH OUR APPROACH TO OUR SERVICES THAT WE THINK IT'S A VERY GOOD IDEA TO HAVE THOSE STANDING PERIODIC MEETINGS.
I WILL GO TO JUST AN OVERVIEW OF THE BASICS OF OUR APPROACH TO SERVING OUR EDUCATION CLIENTS.
THERE ARE SEVERAL WORDS THAT WE THINK ARE IMPORTANT TO DESCRIBE HOW WE DO THINGS AND HOW WE WORK WITH OUR CLIENTS.
EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, PROACTIVE, CREATIVE, COLLABORATIVE. WE HAVE THE ABILITY, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN AROUND IN THE MID 20S, LAWYERS, FOR SOME TIME.
WE HAVE NO PLANS TO GROW DRAMATICALLY.
WE LIKE THAT SIZE WE CAN SERVE ABSOLUTELY EVERYBODY, THAT IS WHY WE ARE SELECTIVE WITH OUR CLIENTS.
WHEN WE HAVE A CLIENT WE WANT TO WORK WITH, WE ARE INVESTED IN THEM. I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND ONE OF MY KEYSTONES ADVICE TO CLIENTS IS TO REALIZE THOUGH WE ARE NOT THE CLIENT, YOU ARE THE CLIENTS.
YOU SET YOUR POLICIES. SOMETIMES THAT REQUIRES THE PAGE, SOMETIMES IT IS EASY AND YOU CAN BE LOCKSTEP TOGETHER.
ONCE YOU SET YOUR DIRECTIVE, - - WE ARE NOT BASHFUL.
WE TELL YOU WHAT THE PROS AND CONS ARE NOT WE GET RISK ASSESSMENTS. WE TALK ABOUT LAWSUITS A LOT, BUT THERE IS A CONTINUUM THERE, RIGHT? THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING SUED VERSUS LOSING A LAWSUIT VERSUS GETTING QUALIFIED IMMUNITY IN A LAWSUIT. AND, WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE RISKS WHEN THOSE ISSUES COME UP.
WHAT IS A CONSEQUENCE? WE ACTIVELY ENGAGE WITH OUR CLIENTS SO THEY ARE RUNNING THE SHOW AND WE ARE PROPERLY ADVISING THEM. WE ARE FULL-SERVICE.
THE QUESTION HAS BEEN ASKED THROUGH THE PROCESS, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD OUTSOURCE? ABSENT THERE BEING SOME KIND OF A BOARD HEARING OR REQUIRING, FOR COUNSEL TO BE INVOLVED, WHETHER IT'S AN EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION PROCESS WITH THE BOARD HAS TO HEAR THE MATTER, AND HAS TO HAVE COUNSEL AND THE DEMONSTRATION HAS TO HAVE COUNSEL, THAT IS THE ONLY SCENARIO WHERE WE WOULD HAVE TO WORK WITH ANOTHER ATTORNEY.
NOW, WE DO WORK WITH OTHER ATTORNEYS.
THE TWO FIRMS THAT YOU HAVE TALKED TO TODAY, WE HAVE WORKED WITH THEM IN THE PAST. THAT IS THE ONLY SCENARIO THAT I CAN THINK OF WE WOULD HAVE TO "OUTSOURCE".
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THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE WE CANNOT SERVE IN BOTH CAPACITIES.ONE THING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT AND THAT BILL EMPHASIZED, WE HAVE WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS A HIGH PAIN TOLERANCE.
WE ARE INVOLVED IN SOME HIGH-PROFILE ISSUES.
LEGAL, POLITICAL. THOSE REQUIRE A STEADY HAND AND A STEADY COUNSEL. IT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY.
WE CAN HANDLE SITUATIONS, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN DOING SO. AT THE SAME TIME,THERE MAY BE A LOT OF ADVERSITY AND DISPUTED SOME SITUATIONS .
WE TRY TO KEEP YOU OUT OF THAT. BUT, IF YOU DO GET THERE, WE DO SO IN A CIVIL WAY. IF YOU HAVE TO BE ADVERSARIAL, THAT IS NOT MEAN THAT YOU ARE NOT CIVIL WITH EACH OTHER.
THAT IS OUR APPROACH. WE ARE PREPARED TO REPRESENT YOU AND BE YOUR ZEALOUS ADVOCATES, BUT WE WILL DO SO IN PA CIVIL WAY WITH LOCAL TRAUMA. THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US.
RESPONSIVENESS, IF YOU ASK ANY OF EDUCATION LEADERS THAT I WORK WITH, YOU WILL KNOW THAT IF THE TEXT OR CALL, THEY WILL GET A VERY QUICK RESPONSE. WE HAVE ALREADY SENT MUTUAL EXPECTATIONS. I DID NOTHING THAT YOU WANT ME STARING AT MY EMAIL. HAVING THE UNDERSTANDING, THIS CAN WAIT FOR AN UPCOMING MEETING, THIS CAN WAIT FOR YOU TO RESPOND WITHIN A DAY OR SO. UT, IF YOU NEED SOMETHING, AND YOU DEFINE WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING, YOU PICK UP THE PHONE, YOU TEXT AND WE ARE ALL VERY RESPONSIVE.
WHETHER IT HAS TO BE IN PERSON OR VIRTUAL, WE ARE VERY COMMITTED TO THAT. SO, ON THE RIGHT HAND OF THIS COLUMN, YOU WILL SEE SOMETHING THAT ARE FAIRLY UNIQUE ABOUT THE TYPES OF SERVICES THAT WE OFFER.
I AM FAIRLY PROUD OF HOW WE HAVE EVOLVED, OUR GROUP, TO DO THINGS THAT NOT A LOT OF OTHERS ARE DOING AND EVOLVING THE PRACTICE OF LAW. OUR CLIENTS REALLY LIKE IT.
ONE IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT REVOLUTIONARY, WE REFER TO THIS AS OUR OFFICE HOURS. IN ALL MOST ALL OF OUR ONGOING CLIENTS HAVE SOME FORM OF THIS. SOME DO MONTHLY, SOME DO QUARTERLY, AND SOME DO MULTIPLE TIMES A MONTH.
THAT IS A SUGGESTION, AN OPTION THAT WE INCLUDE IN OUR PROPOSAL WITH OUR DRAFT LETTER THAT COULD BE INCLUDED IN YOUR BUNDLED SERVICES. I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT WORKS VERY WELL. ONE, NOT EVERYTHING REQUIRES IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. SOMETIMES, IT IS GOOD TO THINK ABOUT AN ISSUE FOR A WHILE. HE WILL SAY HEY, WE GOT FIVE ISSUES TO COVER TODAY AND WE WILL EFFICIENTLY ADDRESS THEM.
THEN, WE WILL GET THROUGH THEM. MAYBE WE ARE 15 MINUTES LEFT, BUT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON WITH OUR OTHER CLIENTS? DO YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT OTHER THINGS GOING ON AT THE STATEHOUSE THAT WE ARE WATCHING VERY CLOSELY? WHAT IS YOUR INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE? IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT ANSWERING AND BEING RESPONSIVE, WE ARE PROACTIVELY ADVISING OUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION.THE OTHER UNIQUE PIECE THAT WE HAVE AS A PART OF OUR SERVICE IS CALLED A LEGAL HELP DESK. I WILL REFERENCE THAT IN A MOMENT, BUT IT IS A PORTAL ON A WEBSITE THAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE THE ABILITY TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN EMPLOYEES AND CERTAIN BOARD MEMBERS TO UTILIZE, ASK A QUESTION AND IT AUTOMATICALLY GOES TO OUR ENTIRE TEAM. THE PROCESS IT, MAKE SURE IT GETS TO THE RIGHT PLACE. IT IS A NEW WAY OF ADDRESSING THE ISSUES. NOT ALL OF OUR CLIENTS USE IT.
IT IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY, BUT IT IS A NEW WAY TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. THEN, LEGAL LESSONS.
THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE WE HAVE ON-DEMAND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON OUR WEBSITE. YOU CAN GO ON THERE NOW AND PURCHASE A TRAINING. BUT, AND MOST OF OUR ENGAGEMENT, WE HAVE SOME KIND OF AGREEMENT WHERE CLIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO IT EITHER FOR A DISCOUNT, OR AS A PART OF THEIR ENGAGEMENT ALTOGETHER. AGAIN, IT IS OUR WAY OF SAYING THAT NOT EVERYTHING, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REINVENT THE WHEEL.WE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE MOST PENDING ISSUES.
THEATERS ISSUED AND PULL IT TOGETHER.
HE WILL ASK OUR CLIENTS, HEY, IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO COVER AND ADD TO OUR MENU OF LEGAL LESSONS TO BE ADDRESSED?
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THAT IS ANOTHER THING THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN.SO, I THINK THE ONE THING THAT I WANTED TO JUMP TO IS, WHAT DEFINITELY SETS US APART FROM THE EDUCATION LAWYERS OUT THER . GREAT COLLEAGUES.
I STARTED THE INDIANA COUNSEL OF ATTORNEYS.
WE HAVE GREAT COLLEAGUES FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND TRADE NOTES ALL THE TIME. YET, I THINK A LOT OF THEM RELY ON ME AND MY FIRM FOR ISSUES THAT INVOLVE THE STATEHOUSE.
THAT IS NOT TO SUGGEST THAT OTHERSARE NOT INVOLVED .
I KNOW THAT BARNES AND THORNBURG IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITH THE STATEHOUSE . WE HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR JAKE GERMAN AND THE OTHER FOLKS THAT JOIN HIM.
JAKE IS NOT EDUCATION LAWYER. I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT FOR YOU ALL TO REALIZE, IF HE IS GOING TO BE YOUR POINT PERSON, HE SPENDS A LOT OF TIME IN THE STATEHOUSE AND I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR HIM, BUT WHAT REALLY DOES SET US APART IS THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITH THE POLICY ISSUE . BECAUSE WE ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE POLICY ISSUES, WE DEAL IMMEDIATELY WITH THE ACTION ITEMS ARE FOR YOU COMING OUT OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
THIS GIVES YOU AN EXAMPLE OF ONE SLIDE CHECKLIST OF WHAT WE DID FOLLOWING THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
HEY, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO CONSIDER IN THE SUMMER TO IMPLEMENT. THERE ARE OTHER PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS THEY DO A NICE JOB.
WE ARE FAIRLY PRIDEFUL IN OUR ABILITY TO ENCAPSULATE AND GIVE YOU THE BEST INFORMATION. THAT IS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED, WE DO LOBBYING. WE GET INVOLVED NOW ON VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT BRING TOGETHER A LOT OF OUR CLIENTS.
EVERY YEAR, WE BOILED DOWN WHAT COLLECTIVELY EVERYONE WANTS TO ADDRESS THEM IF YOU LIKE EVERYONE CAN GET BEHIND.
THIS GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON NOW.
EDUCATORS HAVE WAY TOO MUCH COMPLIANCE.
WE HAVE TAKEN THESE THINGS TO HAVE US COMPLIANCE THROUGH DEREGULATION. WORKFORCE, EDUCATED WORKFORCE, IMPROVING THE OPTICS. WE HAVE A PROBLEM.
THE PIPELINE OF EDUCATORS IS NOT IN GREAT SHAPE, PARTICULARLY IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES LIKE SPECIAL EDUCATION. WE HAVE TO DO THINGS ABOUT THA . THE RISE IN VIOLENT, AGGRESSIVE, DISRUPTIVE AND THIS REGULATED BEHAVIOR IN CHILDREN.
IF YOU TALK TO ELEMENTARY TEACHERS IS VERY CONCERNING.
THIS PREDATES EVEN THE PANDEMIC.
THE PANDEMIC IS NOT EXACERBATE .
WE HAVE TO DO MORE THAT MORE SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCES AND FUNDING. AND WE HAVE TO ALLOW OUR FAMILIES BETTER ACCESS TO MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
SO, SAFETY, FUNDING, ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITH REFERENDUM ISSUE . THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN. I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT MY WATCH IS BUZZING ME I'M OUT OF TIME.
I'M HAPPY TO ADDRESS YOUR QUESTIONS .
>> I OPEN IT UP TO THE BOARD FOR QUESTIONS.
>> I WENT AHEAD AND ASKED YOUR OTHER LAW FIRMS, I KIND OF KNEW THE ANSWER, BUT WHY DON'T YOU DESCRIBE A LITTLE BIT I HAVE THE ON BOARDING WOULD GO IF YOU ARE SELECTED AS OUR LAW FIRM? HOW WOULD A LOOK AT THE BEGINNING, HOW DOES THAT LOOK?
>> I THINK GETTING OFF AND HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING IS IMPORTANT. THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE GENERALLY LIKE LIKE TO INCLUDE IF WE HAVE A NEW COUNSEL CLIENT.TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO CONCERN ABOUT COST.
WE INCLUDE IN OUR DRAFT ENGAGEMENT LETTER, AN OPTION WITH UNLIMITED COMMUNICATIONS BY ANYONE THE BOARD ARGUMENT
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OFFICE AUTHORIZES. WHETHER HIS PHONE TEXT, VIRTUAL MEETINGS, MEETINGS IN PERSON. WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW US. YOU ARE SETTING EXPECTATIONS TO PRIORITIZE. WE ARE GIVING YOU IDEAS OF HOW YOU CAN STRUCTURE THINGS. NOTED PART ABOUT HOW WE DISCUSSED IN THE PROPOSAL WERE THOSE OFFICE OUR STANDING MEETINGS WHETHER IT IS AS REFLECTED IN WHAT YOU PROPOSED OR WE HAVE SOME IDEA, GETTING THOSE ON THE CALENDAR SO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO ENGAGE WITH YOU AS A BOARD AND ALL THE MINUTES RACIALLY AUTHORIZED TO COMMUNICATE WITH.THOSE ARE SOME VERY IMPORTANT THINGS FOR US TO GET OFF AND RUNNING. HE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU A PART OF OUR TEAM. NOT ONLY DO WE WANT TO JOIN YOUR TEAM, WE WANT YOU TO BE MORE HEAVILY INVOLVED WITH ALL OF HER EXCELLENT EDUCATION LEADERS THAT WORK WITH US FROM
ACROSS THE STATE. >> THANK YOU.
>> ALDEHYDE AND ASKED, FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, WE APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE JUST THAT GOOD, HE ANSWERED A LOT OF MY QUESTIONS ALREADY. I HAVE ONE OUT THERE LEFT TO ASK EVERYBODY. OBVIOUSLY WE ALL KNOW THAT WHEN SOMEBODY SPECIALIZES IN EDUCATION AND WE NEED LEGISLATIVE HELP, WE ARE TRYING TO GET YOUR OTHER AREAS WE ARE EXPANDING INTO DIFFERENT AREAS THAT HAVE VERY DIFFERENT LEGAL CONSEQUENCES, ENSURING CONSEQUENCES, SOME OF THOSE BEING HEALTHCARE. THE SOMEBODY ON YOUR TEAM HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THOSE AREAS? DO YOU HAVE THE NEED TO OUTSOURCE ANYTHING TOO CAN YOU KEEP UP IN A CHANGING ROLE AS WE RIGHTFULLY START TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AS WELL AS
INTERNAL PEOPLE. >> I WILL REFER TO MY COLLEAGUE TED HERE IS TO TALK ABOUT OUR STAFFING AND HEALTHCARE ISSUE.
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, WE ARE ON THE PRECIPICE OF A CHANGE IN STATE POLICY. WHETHER YOU LOOK AT A PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE. THERE'S A REASON THAT ACCESS TO - - IF THAT PASSES, THAT WILL BE A HUGE STEP FORWARD WITH ONGOING FUNDING. IT WAS A HUGE STEP, BUT THERE WAS A LOT MORE STEPS TO COME. SCHOOL IS NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH. MOST IMPORTANT THING WE REALIZE FROM WORKING WITH OUR CLIENTS IS SOMEONE TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED, THEY FEEL LIKE IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR FAMILIES. THEY DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AT SCHOOL WITH FAMILIES WITHOUT CONSENT. OTHERS DO NOT THINK THAT IS THEIR ROLE.I DO THINK THAT SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT CHOICE. ONCE THE FUNDING IS THERE AND MAKE IT WORKFORCE ISSUES FIGURED OUT, MEDICAID WOULD THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO ENGAGE IN THIS VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC. I WILL LET TED TALK TO OUR
STAFFING ISSUE. >> IN RECOGNIZING YOUR CONCERN, HEALTHCARE DOES TOUCH SO MANY AREAS.
IT IS INCREASING ALL THE TIME. WE HAD A DIFFERENT HEALTHCARE TURNING SIX MONTHS AGO. SHE PRIMARILY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BIGGEST MUSICAL HEALTHCARE CLIENT.
SHE WORKS HAND-IN-HAND WITH THOSE FOLKS OVER THERE.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE AS A PART OF OUR TEAM NOW AND WE ARE UTILIZING HER A LOT.
>> CAN YOU TALK MORE ABOUT YOUR FEES OR YOUR RATES?I WANT YOU TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO IT.
>> THESE ARE A FEW PIECES THAT WERE NOT OTHERWISE COVERED.
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WE DO NOT HAVE A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH.I THINK OUR STANDARD APPROACH IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS COMFORT ON THE FRONT END AND WE REVISIT.
WE FIGURE OUT WHAT IT'S WORTH, WHAT IS NOT AND REALIZED THAT IT'S A TWO WAY STREET. IT IS TO WORK FOR BOTH OF US.
ONE THING THAT WE ARE MORE AND MORE AS WE UTILIZE THE EVOLUTION THE PRACTICE OF LAW TRYING TO DO, WE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM THE BILLABLE HOUR AND HAVING SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN BUDGET FOR, NO SURPRISES. WE ARE HAVING SUCCESS WITH THAT, MORE AND MORE IS LIKING THAT, BUT IT IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT.ON ONE END OF THE CONTINUUM, IF YOU WANT TO COMPLETE THE HOURLY, WE CAN DO THAT.
WE HAVE CLIENTS THAT DO THAT, THEY ARE PLEASED WITH IT.
WE GET AS DETAILED AS YOU WANT IN THE INVOICES AND THE COMMUNICATIONS BEING AS TRANSPARENT, USE OF THOSE EXPECTATIONS. ON THE OTHER END OF THE CONTINUUM, WE HAVE CLIENTS THAT HAVE A COMPLETE FLAT FEE.
WE DO NOT DO THAT INITIALLY JUST BECAUSE WE HAD TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY LIKED, WHAT THEY DO NOT LIKE AND THEREFORE, WE COULD BUDGET AND GIVEN THE RIGHT NUMBER BEFORE WE LOCKED-IN SOMETHING FOREVER. WHAT WE INCLUDE IN THE PROPOSAL AGAIN IS THAT DRAFT ENGAGEMENT LETTER THAT STARTS OUT WITH THE INITIAL BUNDLED SERVICES. WE ARE NOT TIED TO THAT.
I TELL HER THAT BASED ON WHAT WOULD BE APPEALING TO YOU.
I WORKED WITH HSC IN THE PAST, SO I KNOW THE VOLUME OF WORK.
YOU ARE THE LARGEST FOOD SERVICE PROVIDER, THE LARGEST TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER, YOU ARE A HUGE BUSINESS.
I KNOW THE VOLUME OF WORK THAT IS OUT THERE.
WE HAD TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING AND GET A BASELINE OF WHAT THAT WORK LOOKS LIKE. WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION ON WHAT WOULD BE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL.
>> ABOUT NAMING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR ANYTHING OBVIOUSLY, CAN YOU DESCRIBE A SITUATION WHEN YOU HELP THE DISTRICT
AVOID UNNECESSARY LITIGATION? >> YES.
I WILL TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EMPHASIZE ONE UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE. WE ARE COUNSEL TO THE INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO FOR THEM IS FACILITATE THEIR LEGAL HELP DESKS. REMEMBER THAT PLATFORM I TOLD YOU ABOUT EARLIER? ALL OF THE MEMBERS HAVE THE ABILITY TO UTILIZE THE SERVICE. YOU GET TICKETS THROUGH THAT.
THEY CAN ASK ANY EDUCATION LAW QUESTION, THEY CANNOT ASK ANY PERSONAL EMPLOYMENT QUESTION. ANY EDUCATION LAW QUESTION.
THROUGH THOSE, WE HAVE KEPT A LOT OF FOLKS OUT OF HOT WATER.
I THINK A TRENDING TOPIC THAT I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD MORE AND MORE ABOUT HIS TITLE IX EQUAL PROTECTION, WE REFERENCE THAT IN THE - - THOSE ARE EVOLVING AREAS OF LAW.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS ISSUING GUIDANCE THAT IS IN DIRECT CONFLICT. IT DOES PUT SCHOOL LEADERS IN A VERY SERIOUS DIFFICULT POSITION.
BUT WE HAVE DONE IN THOSE SCENARIOS TO HELP KEEP EDUCATION LEADERS OUT OF HOT WATER IS TO LOOK FOR THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE. DO WE HAVE TO HAVE A DISPUTE HERE? WHAT IS AN APPROACH THAT WE CAN TAKE SO THAT IT IS A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY.
A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE HAS BEEN ABOUT IF SOMEBODY IS TRANSGENDER AND WANT TO KEEP CERTAIN INFORMATION FROM THEIR PARENTS AND COMMUNICATE THAT TO THE SCHOOL, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THAT SCENARIO? THAT IS A QUESTION THAT COMES UP A LOT. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT AND THE WIDE VARIETY OF SITUATIONS WHERE THAT HAS OCCURRED, NOT EVERY SITUATION IS THE SAME, I HAVE YET TO HAVE A SITUATION WITH THE SCHOOL HAS HAD TO MAKE A DECISION THAT WILL KEEP THIS FROM THE PARENTS. WE HAVE FIGURED OUT WAYS FOR THE FAMILY TO GATHER THE INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM THE
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STUDENT. IT IS IN EVERYONE'S BEST INTEREST THAT OCCURS. THAT IS A HOT BUTTON ISSUE AND IT IS NOT GOING AWAY. WE CONTINUE TO FIND WAYS TOKEEP OUR CLIENTS OUT OF COURT ON THE TOPIC.>> THANK YOU.
>> I WILL ASK THE LAST QUESTION AGAIN.
AGAIN, THREE GREAT LAW FIRMS THAT SPOKE TO US TONIGHT.
WHAT SETS YOU APART AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR KEY THING THAT MAKES TO THE LAW FIRM OF CHOICE?
>> YOU ARE RIGHT, THREE GOOD ORGANIZATIONS.
VERY DIFFERENT. VERY DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS.
WHAT I CAN SAY IS MY EXPERIENCE NOW, I'VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER DELIVERING SERVICES. I LOVE THE WORK THAT I DO BEING IN EDUCATION LAWYER. I LOVE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
PARTICULARLY BECAUSE I CLIENTS ASK ME TO.
SOMETIMES IT IS ADVISING THEM ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS AND SOMETIMES IT IS THAT THEY SWING.
OUR FIRM, THERE WAS SOME INTEREST THAT WE ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT WAS THE FOOTPRINT OF THE EDUCATION LAW PRACTICE, I THINK OUR MANAGING PARTNER SAID IN THE THREE YEARS IT IS NOW 10% OF OUR FIRM. THAT IS NOT EVEN ARE MISCIBLE PRACTICE THAT TED WAS REFERRING TO WERE THERE IS A LOT OF OVERLAP OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
EDUCATION LAW IS THE CENTERPIECE OF OUR FIRM.
IT IS A PART OF THE PORTFOLIO. WE DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT WE ARE PROUD TO SAY THAT WE ARE EDUCATION LAW FIRM.
THE OTHER THING I INCLUDED ON HERE IN THE RFP, WE ARE ALSO VERY DILIGENT IN MAKING SURE THAT WE DO NOT TAKE ON ISSUES THAT ARE POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACT ON OUR OTHER CLIENTS.
THAT COULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DO IN THE FIRM.
I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT YOU UNDERSTAND BETWEEN ILLEGAL CONFLICT AND QUALITY CONFLICTS. THERE ARE VERY LARGE LAW FIRMS THAT PLAY BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.THAT IS A COMMON PRACTICE, JUST SOMETHING YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH.
>> THANK YOU. >> WANT US QUESTION.
IF WE WERE TO WORK WITH YOU, WHAT IN YOUR OPINION THE SUCCESS LOOK LIKE IN TERMS OF EXPECTATIONS WE BELIEVE THE CLIENT TO BRING TO THE TABLE AND VICE VERSA TO MAKE THAT A
WINNING COMBINATION. >> I AM AT THE CLIENT.
YOU WERE THE CLIENT, USE OF EXPECTATION.
THESE ARE THE DIRECTIONS. I AM A PART OF THE TEAM.
OF COURSE, OUR BREAD AND BUTTER OBLIGATIONS ARE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE LEGALLY COMPLIANT, THE ONLY RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTIONS, BUT ISSUES TO SAY HEY, YOU DID NOT ASK FOR THIS, BUT YOU PROBABLY SHOULD BE AWARE OF THAT.
THAT IS WHY I SAY EVERY MORNING I WAKE UP BEFORETHE KIDS GET UP AND HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF RESPITE .
I SAY, HOW CAN I HAVE MY CLIENTS TODAY? I WOULD LOVE TO ADD YOU TO THAT LIST OF PEOPLE THINK ABOUT EVERY MORNING THAT I THINK ABOUT AT 4:30 IN THE MORNING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE, WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> YOU ARE WELCOME.THAT CONCLUDES THIS WORK SESSION BUT THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ATTENDING.THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.