Bromagen & Rathet, P.A. DATE: August 5, 2013
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
CODE ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL MAGISTRATE
TO HEAR DANGEROUS DOG CASES
The City of Atlantic Beach, Florida is seeking proposals from professional law firms for an attorney who
is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar and has been a member for at least five (5) years, and
possesses experience in municipal law, code enforcement, administrative law and hearings, or related
experience to serve as a Special Magistrate for the enforcement of the Dangerous Dog sections of the City
of Atlantic Beach Code. This Special Magistrate shall be responsible for hearing cases brought before
him/her under the provisions of Section 162.03, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 4 of the City of Atlantic
Beach Code.
Dangerous Dog cases have been heard by the City's Code Enforcement Board in past years. There have
been relatively few cases per year until 2012 when there were six. Recently, the City Commission
amended the provisions of the City's dangerous dog ordinance as a result of some recent difficult cases in
Atlantic Beach. In several of the recent cases, the dog owners have brought in legal representation and
both the citizen -based Code Board, as well as City Commission, agreed that it would be more appropriate
to designate a Special Magistrate to hear these cases in the future.
THE CODE
A copy of the City of Atlantic Beach's Code of Ordinances can be found online at the City's website;
www.coab.us. Under the "Government" page, you will find the City Clerk's page which includes a link
to the Municipal Code Corporation of Florida.
HOW TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL
Interested firms /individuals should submit sealed and labeled proposals no later than Friday, August 30,
2013 at 2:00 pm to the City Purchasing Agent at 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233 and
should include the following:
1) A proposal describing your (or your firm's) qualifications to serve as a Special Magistrate for the
City of Atlantic Beach and how you would carry out the requirements of the job.
2) Resumes for yourself or designated individual who would serve as a Special Magistrate including
the specific years and types of experience in providing related services.
•
3) A firm outline of the fees that would be charged and an estimate and description of any expenses
that would be incurred and charged to Atlantic Beach.
4) The names and telephone numbers of contact persons who can speak about the information
outlined in items #l, #2 and #3 above.
5) List of three (3) positive references. Please include point -of- contact, phone, fax and e -mail
address.
6) Proof of State of Florida Bar Association license.
7) Certificate of Insurance to include Professional Liability.
Proposers may be invited to appear for an interview with City Staff. It is anticipated that interviews with
the City Manager, City Attorney and Chief of Police will be conducted in September. A recommendation
will be made to the City Commission for final approval in September.
Questions about this Request for Proposal may be directed to Jim Hanson, City Manager, but only in
writing by electronic mail at jhanson(aicoab.us. Telephone calls will not be accepted.
The City of Atlantic Beach reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, or parts of proposal,
waive informalities and technicalities, make award in whole or in part with or without cause, and
to make the award in what is deemed to be in the best interest of the City of Atlantic Beach.
Due to Florida's very broad public records laws, most written communications to or from City
employees regarding City business are public records, available to the public and media upon
request. Therefore, written e -mail communication, including your e -mail address, may be subject to
public disclosure.
PROPOSAL TO SERVE AS A SPECIAL MAGISTRATE FOR
THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE DANGEROUS DOG SECTIONS OF
THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
Qualifications of Brooks Rathet and Bromagen & Rathet, P.A.
Brooks Rathet, a resident of Atlantic Beach, Florida practices in Jacksonville Beach in
litigation and is a certified mediator. He is an AV -rated attorney. As part of his practice,
he regularly appears at administrative hearings involving statutory compliance and
administrative procedure. He also has tried a dog bite lawsuit before a jury in Duval
County.
He specializes in warranty defense, subrogation, complex commercial litigation and
media law. His practice includes the defense of major automobile, boat and recreational
vehicle manufacturers, large insurance companies, publishers and broadcasters. He has
been lead or sole counsel in numerous jury trials, successfully receiving several zero
damages defense verdicts, a multi - million dollar plaintiffs verdict, several six - figure
plaintiffs verdicts and has recovered attorneys' fees in several cases. He has appeared
for oral argument before Florida District Courts of Appeal and has prepared appellate
briefs in a number of other jurisdictions. He has been admitted to practice in Florida
since 1996, Georgia, New York and the District of Columbia.
The firm has locations in Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and Jacksonville, Florida with each
office technologically interconnected. Attorneys at the firm include two partners and
eight associates, with support from three paralegals and two legal assistants all with
insurance defense experience. Attorneys practice in every county in the state of Florida
and have litigated in county, circuit, federal and appellate courts throughout Florida and
Georgia. Partner William Bromagen has 27 years of civil litigation experience, partner
Brooks Rathet 16 and associate Nicholas Mooney 29.
Based on his close residential and business geographic proximity to the City of Atlantic
Beach, appearances will be convenient. He has adequate support staff to enable him to
prepare for hearings and the background, training and experience to carry out the
requirements of the job.
BROOKS CHARLES RATHET
Bromagen & Rathet, P.A.
135 2nd Ave. North., Suite 1
Jacksonville Beach, FL 3225o
(904) 242 -0860 Telephone
(904) 242 -0830 Facsimile
brooks.rathetpbromagenlaw.com
LITIGATION
• Have successfully conducted litigation in a variety of high - profile cases.
• Have achieved favorable resolution of complex, often difficult to win cases.
• Have practiced before administrative boards and arbitrators.
• Experience in all phases of civil litigation in state and federal courts, trials and
appeals.
• Peer Review Rating AV
EXPERIENCE
Bromagen & Rathet, P.A., Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Shareholder 2006 — Present
AndersonGlenn, LLC, Jacksonville, Florida
Shareholder 2004 -2006
Associate 2001 -2004
Dow, Lohnes & Albertson, PLLC, Atlanta, Georgia
Associate 1998 -2000
Holland & Knight LLP, Jacksonville Florida
Associate 1996 -1998
EDUCATION
University of Virginia, B.A. 1990
Lawn Resident
Editor -in -Chief The Cavalier Daily
University of Florida, J.D., M.A. (mass communications) 1995
PRACTICE AREAS
Subrogation
Warranty Law and Products Liability
Insurance Defense
Media Law;
Professional Malpractice
Certified Florida Mediator
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Attorney Ad Litem
Member Bar, State of Florida, Admitted 1995 (all state and federal courts)
Member Bar, State of Georgia, Admitted 1998 (all state courts, Northern District
federal)
Member Bar, District of Columbia, Admitted 1998
Member, Bar, State of New York, Admitted 2006
Admitted United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit -
FIRM OUTLINE OF FEES
Brooks Rathet charges fees based upon actual time expended preparing for and attending
the hearings at the hourly rate of $200.00 per hour. He does not anticipate any costs being
incurred to appear as a Special Magistrate
CONTACT INFORMATION
Brooks Rathet
Bromagen & Rathet, PA
135 2nd Avenue North, Suite 1
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 -6946
904.242.0860 Phone
904.3 - 3 10 o Cell
904.242.0830 Fax
Brooks@ bromagenlaw.com
POSITIVE REFERENCES
Brett Hastings, Esq.
226 N 3rd St.
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
904 2 47 - 44 00
Lori Gaglione, Esq.
408 Fourth St. North
Jacksonville Beach, FL 3225o
9 - 2 49 - 3 0 4 6
Rita McAndrews Giblin, Esq.
Senior Counsel
CSX Transportation
500 Water Street # Ji5o
Jacksonville, FL 32202 - 4423
904- 359 -1006
Member Search Page 1 of 2
The Florida Bar
www.floridabar.org
Brooks Charles Rathet
Member in Good Standing Eligible to practice in Florida
ID Number: -- 77658
Address: Bromagen & Rathet, P.A.
135 2nd Ave N Ste 1
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 322506946
United States
Phone: 904.242.0860
Fax: 904.242.0830
E -Mail: brooks.rathet @bromagenlaw.com
vCa rd :
County: Duval
Circuit: 4
Admitted: 04/25/1996
Sections: Alternative Dispute Resolution
10 -Year Discipline None
History
Law School: University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
Graduation Year: 1995
Degree: Doctor of Jurisprudence /Juris Doctor
Firm: Bromagen & Rathet, P.A.
Firm Size: 6 to 10
Occupation: Partner / Shareholder
Practice Areas: Appellate Practice
Civil Litigation
Civil Trial
Commercial Litigation
Insurance
Media
Mediation
Federal Courts: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
State Courts: District Of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
New York
http:// www. floridabar .org /names.nsf /0/4E89E006 F9CO25D 85256A83 0014C71 E ?OpenD... 8/20/2013
Flori 541 E. Mitchell Hammock Road • Oviedo, Florida 32765
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14' r ]W—+ Phone: 800 -633 -6458 • Fax: 800-781-2010
M u t u a l W�NW.fhrlIC.COnl
11 Ins Cornp any
Created by The Florida Bar for its members.
Lawyers Professional Liability Policy
This is a Claims Made and Reported Policy. Please read it carefully.
Declarations
Policy Number: 95100154
Item 1. Named Insured: Bromagen & Rathet, P.A.
Mailing Address: P. 0. Box 70036
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33307
Item 2. Policy Period: From 11/11/2012 to 11/11/2013 at 12:01 A.M.
Standard Time at Your Address Shown Above
Item 3. Limit of Liability: $2,000,000 Per Claim
$2,000,000 Total Limit
Item 4. Deductible: $5,000 Annual Aggregate
Item 5. Premium: $17177
Item 6. Forms and Endorsements Attached at Policy Issuance:
FLPL - 101 (R.08/01/2011) FLPL - 200R (R.08/01/2011) FLPL - 103 (R.08/01/2011)
The Policy is not valid until signed by Our authorized representative.
October 15, 2012 `
Date Issued €rutho ' . "-prep . we
FLPL -100 (R.08/01/2011) Pagel of 1
$0.92 Q
US POSTAG
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Bromagen & Rathet, P.A.
135 2nd Ave North, Suitel
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
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City Purchasing Agent
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800 Seminole Road
Atlantic Beach FL 32233 -5444
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