Government Services

 

We have extensive experience with the administrative and business needs of government, including questions involving the scope of government powers; creating and enforcing ordinances; constitutional and regulatory issues affecting government; government ethics questions; police and security issues; Government Records and Access Management Act issues; Open Meetings Act questions; all forms of government procurement; interlocal agreements and other agreements involving government, commercial business advice, bankruptcy advice, claims, and litigation; and other legal work to support or interface with government programs. Our work also includes lobbying efforts to achieve the goals of our clients.

 

 

The firm represents government clients involved in personnel disputes and litigation, advises on regulatory compliance, and assists with creating internal policies and procedures governing personnel matters. Our experience includes 1983 actions, Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, ADEA, COBRA, UADA, HIPPA, ERISA, OWBPA, WARN, wrongful termination claims, whistleblower claims, compensation claims, labor union issues, and a variety of other matters. We also have extensive experience with immigration issues, including E-Verify requirements.

 

 

The firm handles litigation involving government that covers a wide variety of matters, including challenges to government laws and policies, extensive experience with representing government entities in tort litigation, contract litigation, and other business issues such as evictions and intellectual properties.

 

 

We have extensive experience with government construction projects, including contracting using AIA and other forms for various delivery methods, public bidding issues, professional services agreements, addressing construction claims and disputes, dispute resolution, and pursuing litigation. We also have broad experience with federal programs that affect government construction, such as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, and Davis Bacon requirements. Our experience includes work with federal grant programs and a variety of other issues involved in economic development activities.

 

 

We work with a wide range of issues affecting government real property interests, including zoning matters, annexations, property sales and acquisitions, leasing existing facilities, leasing property for tenant development, easements and other property interests, vacations, exactions, development agreements, permit issues, condemnations, state and federal Relocation Act requirements, conservation easements, adverse possession, title issues, encumbrances, licenses, and other real property issues. 

 

 

The firm has strong environmental services in support of government programs. We work with federal, state, and local agencies to represent government in matters involving NEPA, RCRA, CERCLA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and their state counterparts. Our services include managing environmental risk in real property acquisition, working to address compliance issues, and legal support for mitigation efforts. We also provide legal support to create local environmental programs, and assist government with establishing practices, such as LEED counsel goals.

 

 

We provide legal support for housing authorities across Utah. Our work includes loan documentation, opinion letters, HUD and USDA compliance issues, property management agreements, tax credit financing, encumbrances, real property issues, and other matters important to housing agencies.

 

 

The firm helps government entities structure operations that can enhance government revenues, such as through concession agreements, permits, licensing, franchises, and ordinance-imposed programs to recover the cost of providing services. We provide legal support to create public-private partnerships that allow government and the private sector to team effectively for the benefit the public and to produce revenues for the government entity.

 

 

We provide extensive legal services in support of airports, including minimum standards, grant assurance requirements, Part 16 issues, proprietor’s rights issues, concession contracting, leasehold contracting, airline lease and use agreements and permits, and other matters. Please see more information under our Aviation and Transportation Group.

 

Attorneys practicing in this area:

• Jodi L. Howick
  
• Jeffrey N. Starkey