Jackson Jambalaya

Next JSU will be suing Butler... Just hide and watch

Whoop de doo. A whopping $13,500 in fees isn't really that much for legal services. Haven't read the statute to confirm, but what's more newsworthy is that the College Board has a say in professional services contracts that small. Not a good use of the board's time if you multiply that by all of the universities and all of their contracts.

Gotta love emergency procurements. They are always above-board.

$290 an hour. Give me a break.

$290/hour for a top-tier bond attorney is a bargain. JSU may be frittering away money somewhere else, but they made a good deal here.

Kingfish has long (or short) had a hard on for Butler Snow. Would this be newsworthy had the contract been with Blackmon and Blackmon?

Was trying to make Bennie mad.

My sentiments exactly @10:18 AM about your comment. So Friggin' What? You bitch yet again about the editorial decisions here at JJ while we still wait for you to show the blogosphere how a real expert, such as yourself, does it right.

Thanks for reading JJ, Chump.

Top lawyers make $1000/hour and more.

This may be related to the Dan Jones blow-up with IHL about not getting approval for every nickel and dime the institution spends.

As a former Emergency Room doctor I admire how they define "emergency" however :-)

Well, shouldn't ALL contracts for legal services awarded by/for UMC get the same scrutiny, and publicity? After a while, I'll bet that would cause a little more "spreddin round" of that govmunt money, instead of giving it all to one house of lawyers -- the one with the frozen precipitation name.

Blackmon might wanna look into that one. Even ol Kennuf might want to chime in since it surely, somehow, some way, in some manner, must adversely affect his peeps in Ward 3 since UMC services Ward 3 residents too.

[Knock, Knock]

Underling: "Come in"

Boss: "Underling, please prepare that RFP. It needs to be ready for release in one month but take your time." -wink, wink-

Underling: "Yes Boss, I understand. RFP ready for release in one month."

--- One Month Later ---

[Knock, Knock]

Underling: "Come in"

Boss: "Underling, is that RFP ready for release?"

Underling: "Why, no it isn't Boss. -wink, wink- I'm still working on it. It might be ready in another two weeks."

Boss: "What? Underling are you kidding? We need those f'ing professional services tommorrow!*%!"

Underling: "I'm sorry Boss. What would you like me to do?" -wink, wink-

Boss: "This is an Emergency! Quick, get out that list of MSGOP-approved Emergency Professional Services providers. We're going to have to completely skip the competitive bid process and go with an EMERGENCY Professional Services Contract! Because this is an EMERGENCY!"

Underling: "Yes Boss, Yes. I'll get on it right away. This very minute. Immediately. I have that EMERGENCY Professional Services Contract ready to go, er, I'll have that contract ready to go in one hour. Because this is an EMERGENCY!!!"

Boss: "Thanks Underling. I knew I could count on you!" -wink, wink-

There isn't any news here. Just the fascination of some about a big (and competent) law firm.

A $13,000 contract to do necessary legal work? Big deal - don't care who is doing it.

A $290/hour fee. Highly discounted from what most legitimate firms charge for this kind of work, unless pressured to discount.

Blackmon and Blackmon - they don't do this kind of work. Maybe Regina could find time when she's not at the airport, but at this rate don't think she really would be chasing it. Besides, wouldn't both the Blackmon's have some kind of conflict from their legislative positions?

And it being an emergency - all legal contracts are immune from any 'bid laws' so the fact that it is headed as an emergency contract doesn't mean crap either.

But - if the JJ readers don't have a chance to complain about Butler Snow every few days, the number of clicks that Kingfish would get would drop dramatically. So understand why he thought this 'newsworthy'.

No real comment @1:03 PM. Just the fascination of some anonymous harpy with a burr in their saddle and a need to complain ad nauseum about the business moves of a private entrepreneur just looking to carry his own weight by making a buck or two.

Doesn't state law require the minutes to state the reason why it is an emergency, or is that just for municipalities and counties?

Top lawyers might bill $1000 or more elsewhere but if anyone is paying that in MS, they are being robbed!

Lucien Bourgeois is one of the best public finance attorneys in Mississippi. I'm willing to bet that the fee of $290/hour is below his rate for private corporate clients.

One does wonder if the Attorney General's Office could develop public financing expertise and provide these services. But if not, then Mr. Bourgeois is a good selection at this rate.

Thank you, Mr. Craig, for the welcome perspective. At the same time, I'm tickled to think that Bennie might be steaming. Carry on, Sith Lord Fish.

At 11:54. It always tickles me when Kingfish posts as anonymous. Funny when he gets schooled and gets his draws in a was.

Love anonymous commentators that note someone's anonymous comment. (yes, that's you 1:32). Problem is, don't know what private entrepreneur you are talking about - Butler Snow or Kingfish. Next time, please for the uninformed masses of us that you like to poke your stick into - provide a more distinct comment so we can all be amused.

Nope, I'm @11:54 and I'm not Kingfish. Thanks for playing!

4:23, who said the post was meant for you, Kingfish, I mean anonymous?

This means there is not a single state attorney who can open a bid on construction and read it?

What did the proposal ask for. Who drew up that document.

4:11; Sorry, but Kingfish isn't a lawyer, although he plays one on a local blog.

4:11 here. Sorry for the confusion - the anonymous comment I meant to refer to was at 1:21, not 1:32 - case of 'fingerdrift on the keyboard' I guess.

Public finance? Is that what Butler Snow calls it? I wonder what percentage of their finances are paid for by the public? I will shut up now and pay my taxes.