Outside Legal Services for the Office of Integrity

The City of Pontiac’s Office of Integrity is seeking to secure qualified outside legal services to provide independent legal counsel concerning governmental ethics, public integrity, conflicts of interest, and related municipal governance matters. The selected attorney or law firm will provide legal research, analysis, advice, document review, and other professional services necessary to assist the Office of Integrity and authorized City representatives.

The engagement is also expected to include legal review and guidance concerning potential revisions to the City Charter and other governing documents related to the structure, authority, responsibilities, independence, and operation of the City’s Ethics Department. The specific legal questions, priorities, work assignments, reporting expectations, and anticipated deliverables will be further defined during the project kickoff meeting and through subsequent written direction from the City.

Background

The Office of Integrity supports the City’s efforts to promote ethical government, accountability, transparency, compliance, and public confidence in municipal operations. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Office may encounter matters requiring legal advice that is independent from the City departments, officials, or personnel whose duties or interests may be connected to the matter under review.

The City therefore intends to retain outside legal counsel with experience in municipal law, governmental ethics, conflicts of interest, public integrity, and Charter or ordinance review. Outside counsel may be asked to evaluate applicable laws, City Charter provisions, ordinances, policies, procedures, reporting relationships, and ethical requirements; provide advice regarding actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest; and recommend appropriate legal, procedural, or governance measures.

The City has not reached any predetermined conclusion regarding the existence of a conflict of interest, ethical violation, legal violation, or improper conduct. Services shall be performed independently and objectively, and any additional review, corrective action, referral, representation, or related legal work arising from the engagement will be undertaken only upon authorization by the City.

Project Details

• Department: Legal
• Department Head: JoAnne Gurley (City Attorney)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-07-29T18:00:00.000Z

Evaluation Criteria

• Notes to vendor —

  We thank you for your time to review our RFP.

Submission Requirements

• Firm Point of Contact Information (required) —

  Provide the point of contact information. Include the firm’s name, address, primary telephone, and email address. 

• Confirm that you have read and understand all of the Project Requirements. (required)
• Overview of the Firm (required) —

  Provide a brief history of the Firm, including years in business, organizational structure, office locations, and number of attorneys and support personnel.

• Firm References (required) —

  Provide a minimum of three references for comparable municipal, governmental ethics, public integrity, conflict-of-interest, or Charter-related legal services completed within the past five years. Include the client organization, contact person, telephone number, email address, general description of services, and period of performance. References may be entered below or uploaded as an attachment.

• References Attachment (required) —

  You may attach references.

• Attorney Licensing and Professional Standing (required) —

  Confirm that each attorney proposed for the engagement is licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan. Identify each attorney’s name, State Bar number, and any limitations, pending disciplinary proceedings, or professional sanctions relevant to the engagement.

• Attorney Résumés or Professional Biographies —

  Upload résumés or professional biographies for all proposed attorneys.

• Required Insurance (required) —

  Confirm that the Firm currently maintains, or can obtain before contract execution, all insurance required under Section 3.1.

• Upload a current Certificate of Insurance. The selected Firm must provide evidence of all required coverage and endorsements before beginning services.
• Firm Experience (required) —

  Describe the Firm’s experience providing outside legal counsel to municipalities, public agencies, ethics offices, inspectors general, public integrity offices, or similar governmental entities. Include experience involving governmental ethics, actual or perceived conflicts of interest, municipal Charter interpretation or revision, and sensitive or independent legal assignments.

• Proposed Legal Team (required) —

  Identify the lead attorney and all other attorneys, paralegals, investigators, or professionals proposed for the engagement. Describe each individual’s role, relevant experience, availability, and anticipated responsibilities.

• Conflict Identification and Management (required) —

  Describe the Firm’s process for identifying, evaluating, disclosing, and managing actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.

• Current and Prior Relationships or Conflicts (required) —

  Identify any current or prior representation or relationship within the past five years involving the City of Pontiac, its elected or appointed officials, employees, departments, boards, commissions, authorities, contractors, vendors, or the City Law Department, as well as any earlier relationship that remains material.

• Approach to Engagement (required) —

  Describe the Firm’s proposed approach to beginning the engagement, including the kickoff meeting, initial legal assessment, identification of relevant authorities, document review, and development of a work plan.  Include the proposed communication process, reporting protocols, assignment prioritization, staffing approach, and method for monitoring authorized hours and not-to-exceed amounts. 

• Confidentiality and Records (required) —

  Describe the Firm’s procedures for maintaining attorney-client privilege, attorney work-product protection, confidentiality, and secure handling of sensitive governmental records.  Include procedures for returning, retaining, or securely destroying City records at the completion of an assignment. 

• Technology and Information Security (required) —

  Describe the technology and safeguards used to protect confidential information and electronically stored information, including any anticipated use of artificial intelligence or automated document-review tools and the safeguards used to protect confidentiality, privilege, accuracy, and City information.

• Billing Practices and Additional Charges (required) —

  Identify the Firm’s minimum billing increment, billing practices, travel-time charges, reimbursable expenses, electronic research fees, technology fees, administrative charges, and any other costs that may be billed in addition to the proposed hourly rates.

• City of Pontiac Terms and Conditions of Purchase (required) —

  The Firm shall confirm that it has reviewed and agrees to the attached City of Pontiac Terms and Conditions of Purchase.