Requested Agenda Date:
8/24/2021
Requested Agenda Title:
Title
Indigent Parental Defense Compensation - Exigent Request
Body
Requested Agenda Item Description: Salt Lake County contracts with Lokken & Associates, to provide court representation in Salt Lake County to indigent parents or guardians who are facing allegations of abuse/neglect or termination of parental rights before the Third District Juvenile Court and the Third District Court. Lokken has 3 attorney vacancies. With only 6 attorneys remaining, Lokken is operating at a 33% deficit in attorney workforce. Lokken needs a minimum of 9 trial attorneys to continue to provide high quality statutorily mandated services to our Salt Lake County community. Turnover rate is 180% since 2018.
Current employee salaries are well below minimum starting salaries for AG, GAL, DA or LDA: Attorney General and Guardian ad Litem starting salaries range from $70,000 to $80,000, and the Salt Lake County District Attorney and Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association ranges from $70,000 to $72,000. An attorney salary at Lokken & Associates is approximately $50,000. Lack of competitive starting or ongoing salary halts the hiring process or forces the hiring of less than ideal candidates.
Requested Action: Discussion - Vote Needed
Presenter(s) (with titles): Karen Crompton, Director of Human Services; Lisa Lokken, President & Owner of Lokken & Associates, PC
Time Needed: 20 MINS
Is this Item Time-Sensitive and/or Requesting a Time-Certain? No
Requesting Staff Member: Ina Landry, Human Services Department Assistant
Are Supporting Documents Needed for this Agenda Item Request? Yes
Please attach supporting documentation, including presentations, to the Legistar file.
Agenda item requests must be complete and submitted via Legistar Approval Sequence to the Council Administrative & Communications Coordinator by the Wednesday before the upcoming Tuesday meeting at 3:00 PM. Please note that some offices have earlier, internal Approval Sequence deadlines.
Items without necessary supporting documentation may be withheld from consideration for the desired meeting date.