AUSTIN - The Santa Rosa Independent School District is requesting the Office of the Attorney General to approve a contingent agreement in order to pursue recovery of insured but unpaid property damages and losses caused by Hurricane Hanna in 2020, states a review request submitted by the district last month.
Records show Santa Rosa ISD’s request for review was submitted to the OAG on July 21, and included a required questionnaire and exhibits.
The district signed a contingent agreement with two law firms, O’Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo, an Austin law firm that specializes in representing school districts, and Raizner Slania, which specializes in insurance litigation, records show.
Documents included in Santa Rosa ISD’s request state that the specialized legal services needed cannot be adequately performed by the attorneys and supporting personnel of the district at a reasonable cost.
“The specialized legal services, advancement of expenses, and compensation on a contingent fee basis required by this agreement cannot be performed by the attorneys and supporting personnel of Santa Rosa Independent School District because the District does not currently employ attorneys who have specialized knowledge and experience regarding property insurance coverage analysis and legal remedies under Texas law on a contingent fee basis,” the request states.
“In addition, the District does not have budgeted the financial resources necessary to compensate competent and experienced attorneys and staff regarding property insurance law as District employees or to reasonably compensate a firm in private practice with the necessary experience under a contract providing for payment on an hourly basis without contingency.”