Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNINGAGENDALEGALNovember 14, 2007Page 1 of 34831. MSU - APPROVAL TO RENEW AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICESPermission is requested to renew a contract with the firm of DLA Piper US LLP, locatedat 1200 Nineteenth Street, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036-2430, to provideservices necessary in obtaining patents for designs, processes, products, and otherpatentable materials developed in connection with the university. The term of thecontractual agreement will be for one (1) year, at an hourly rate ranging from $270 to$495, for a maximum amount payable of $350,000 during contract term.STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The contract has been reviewed and approved bythe Attorney General’s Office. Board staff recommends approval of this item.2. UM – APPROVAL TO RENEW CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICESThe University of Mississippi requests approval to renew its contract for professionalservices with the law firm of Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Cannada (“Butler,Snow”) so that it may continue to assist the university with pharmaceutical patentapplications, intellectual property issues, and commercialization of intellectual property.The university also requests permission to renew the contract annually if the Chancellordetermines that to do so would be in the best interest of the university and if hourly ratesdo not increase more than five percent per year.The firm’s blended hourly rates under the contract for all attorneys within designatedpractice areas are as follows: intellectual property/patent work - $225.00 per hour andcommercial - $215.00 per hour. The rate for legal assistants will be $85.00 per hour.These rates are competitive with or less than those charged by similarly qualifiedattorneys. The term of the proposed contract is from October 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008,and total expenditures will not exceed $50,000.STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The contract has been reviewed and approved bythe Attorney General’s Office. Board staff recommends approval of this item.3. UMMC – APPROVAL TO SETTLE TORT CLAIMThe University of Mississippi Medical Center is seeking Board approval for settlement ofTort Claim No. 1379.11/13/2007