📄 Extracted Text (833 words)
(Ezell - Draft 12/2/09))
(RDC Changes 2-1340)
AGREEMENT FOR SPECIAL MASTER
TO DETERMINE AMOUNT OF ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS
This Agreement is made this day of , 2010, by and
between the "First Party," Jeffrey Epstein ("Epstein"), by and through his attorneys, Burman,
Critton, Luttier & Coleman, LLP, and the "Second Party," defined as the attorney representative,
Robert C. Josefsberg of the law firm of Podhurst Orseck, P.A. ("Podhurst Orseck").
WHEREAS, there exists an agreement between the United States Attorney's Office
("USAO") and Epstein known as the Non-Prosecution Agreement (the "NPA") (Composite
Exhibit "A"). The NPA provides for the appointment of an attorney representative to
potentially represent various individuals who were identified and listed by the USAO as victims
who might pursue claims against Epstein. This list of victims' names was referenced in and
contemplated by the NPA. Pursuant to paragraph 7 of the NM, the USAO provided this list to
Epstein's counsel after Epstein signed the NPA and was sentenced on June 30, 2008. Attached is
a copy of the listing of the individuals (identified by initials) who thus far have chosen to be
represented by Robert C. Josefsberg (Exhibit "B").
WHEREAS, Robert C. Josefsberg of the law firm of Podhurst Orseck, P.A. was
appointed as the attorney representative on or about September 2008 by the Honorable Edward
B. Davis. Robert C. Josefsberg, as lead counsel, began performing his responsibilities
immediately thereafter, and, as a result, Podhurst Orseck has incurred attorneys' fees and costs.
WHEREAS, Epstein has an obligation to pay fees and costs to the attorney representative
pursuant to the NPA. Some of the attorney representative's bills for fees and costs relating to the
representation of the designated victims have been submitted for payment to Epstein through his
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counsel, and $526,466.15 of these fees and costs have been paid by Epstein.
WHEREAS, Podhurst Orseck and Epstein disagree as to the amount of fees and costs due
and owing and whether certain fees and costs (paid to date and other amounts not paid) are
Epstein's responsibility based upon the NPA and any rulings from the federal court which may
be applicable.
WHEREAS, the Parties have jointly agreed to select a Special Master to make a
determination with regard to issues associated with the extent of Epstein's obligation for fees and
costs under the NPA and past, present, and future disputes (unless a court has that jurisdiction)
relating to the amount of attorneys' fees and costs due the attorney representative. The Parties
agree that this Agreement and special master process are pursuant to the NPA.
The Parties therefore agree as follows:
1. The Special Master shall conduct hearings and/or proceedings, obtain documents,
and/or resolve issues (s)he deems necessary and pertinent to the determination of the
amount of attorneys' fees and costs due and owing Podhurst Orseck by Epstein,
pursuant to the NPA, including monies paid in the past, present, and future (unless a
court has that jurisdiction). The Special Master's decision shall be written in the form
of an order with specific findings re: rates and hours.
2. A Special Master shall be jointly selected by the Parties within one week of the
execution of this agreement. The Special Master shall be an attorney or retired judge
who is not from nor practices in Florida.
3. No Party is required to present expert testimony, but, if expert testimony is presented,
it shall be considered by the Special Master as it would be in federal court. The
parties may conduct discovery.
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4. The Parties may provide legal memoranda, exhibits, expert witnesses, and any other
evidence to support their respective positions.
5. The Federal Rules of Evidence shall govern any proceeding(s). The proceeding(s)
shall be deemed confidential (subject only to any appeal), and subject to Rules 408
and 410 of the Federal Rules of Evidence and all other applicable rules.
6. The decisions made by the Special Master shall be final and binding on these Parties.
Any order(s) issued by the Special Master awarding fees and costs shall be paid by
Epstein within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the final order(s).
7. The Special Master shall be paid his/her hourly rate upon submission of his/her bills
to counsel for all work, including preparation, research, hearings, and orders, as well
as any out-of-pocket expenses. The Special Master's fees and costs shall be
apportioned based upon the amount sought and awarded, e.g., if Podhurst Orseck is
awarded "X" percent of the amount sought, Epstein shall be responsible for "X"
percent of the Special Master's bill.
8. The parties shall bear their own fees and costs associated with this proceeding.
First Party: Second Party:
By:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN ROBERT C. JOSEFSBERG, ESQ.
Date: Florida Bar No. 040856
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
25 W. Flagler Street, Suite 800
By: Miami, FL 33130
ROBERT D. CRITTON, JR., ESQ. Attorney Representative
Florida Bar No. 224162 Date:
Burman, Critton, Luttier & Coleman
303 Banyan Boulevard, Suite 400
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Attorneysfor Jeffrey Epstein
Date:
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ℹ️ Document Details
SHA-256
520ef7fc6d29aaa50e0523d6de6ba509cd4e4a03a5e95803e62470697c5fd333
Bates Number
EFTA00723901
Dataset
DataSet-9
Document Type
document
Pages
3
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