HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Office of the City AttorneyCITY OF MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
MEMORANDUM
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Me begs of the City Commission
FROM: Victoria Mendez, City Attorney, — w --? --
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DATE: March 30, 2015 ``
RE: Proposed Resolution for City Commission Meeting — April9, 2015.
Payment of Attorney's fees and costs, in the case styled as SHANIKA A.
GRAVES, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Travis McNeil, and
on behalf of the Estate of Travis McNeil and the survivors of the Estate,
T.M. and. K.J.P. v. City of Miami, a municipality of the State of Florida
and Reynaldo Goyos v. United States of America, Case No.: 13-22501 in
the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
File ID No. 15-00156
The attached proposed Resolution seeks authorization for payment of attomey's fees and costs, in
the amount of $117,002.40, to Ronald J. Cohen, Esq., of Rice, Pugatch, Robinson, P.A., in the case of
SHANIKA A. GRAVES, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Travis McNeil, and on behalf of the
Estate of Travis McNeil and the survivors of the. Estate, TM. and K.J.P. v. City of Miami, a municipality
of the State of Florida and Reynaldo Goyos v. United States of America, Case No.: 13-22501 in the
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Officer Goyos was represented by Mr. Ronald J. Cohen, Esq., who successfully defended the
Officer from all claims arising out of the above litigation. Florida Law provides that the City shall
reimburse a law enforcement officer's attorney's fees where the claims against the officer were based on
conduct that arose out of, or in connection with, the perfoituance of the officers official duties, and there
was no finding of liability. See Fla. Stat. 111.065
The invoice for attorney's fees has been reviewed by the Office of the City Attorney and it has
been determined that the billed hours and rates are reasonable.
VM/BLM/KRJ/ddd
cc: Daniel J. Alfonso, City Manager
Julia D. Hernandez, Agenda Coordinator
Doc. No.: 524728