Biloxi Settles with Law Firm
Two hundred thousand more dollars is coming to the city of Biloxi as a result of the 2010 BP oil spill. The city has settled with the law firm who represented Biloxi during its claim.
Of the $4.9 million Biloxi is set to receive from oil giant BP about $1 million was to pay legal fees for the services of Page, Mannino, Peresich, & McDermott Law Firm. Mayor Gilich recently questioned the 20 percent contingency fee signed by a prior City Council.
Ron Peresich, a partner in PMPM, says it was a tough five years battling a corporation as well-funded as BP and the lawyers representing the city certainly did their job. “That’s why Biloxi got the biggest settlement of any government entity in Mississippi. It wasn’t by accident. That’s because the lawyers worked long and hard and worked smart,” said Peresich.
The city has been negotiating with the firm since last Thursday for a lesser fee. While the original contract says that PMPM will receive 20 percent of Biloxi’s settlement, the law firm has agreed to pay $200,000 to the city’s general fund. “We’re happy to contribute proceeds of our legal work to the city when it can be used to the betterment of our community,” said Peresich.
Mayor Gilich tells News 25 he feels this is a good settlement for Biloxi and now the city can begin to move past the oil spill. “I feel good,” said Gilich, “Like I said, it resolved some differences, potential differences, and we can move forward with $200,000 more in the general fund.”
Peresich spoke to the council this afternoon, suggesting that the money be used for city non-profits like the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art, and the natatorium. Mayor Gilich says the city is just beginning to discuss next year’s budget and while they can’t commit to anything, they will take the firm’s suggestion into consideration.
Of the $4.9 million Biloxi is set to receive from oil giant BP about $1 million was to pay legal fees for the services of Page, Mannino, Peresich, & McDermott Law Firm. Mayor Gilich recently questioned the 20 percent contingency fee signed by a prior City Council.
Ron Peresich, a partner in PMPM, says it was a tough five years battling a corporation as well-funded as BP and the lawyers representing the city certainly did their job. “That’s why Biloxi got the biggest settlement of any government entity in Mississippi. It wasn’t by accident. That’s because the lawyers worked long and hard and worked smart,” said Peresich.
The city has been negotiating with the firm since last Thursday for a lesser fee. While the original contract says that PMPM will receive 20 percent of Biloxi’s settlement, the law firm has agreed to pay $200,000 to the city’s general fund. “We’re happy to contribute proceeds of our legal work to the city when it can be used to the betterment of our community,” said Peresich.
Mayor Gilich tells News 25 he feels this is a good settlement for Biloxi and now the city can begin to move past the oil spill. “I feel good,” said Gilich, “Like I said, it resolved some differences, potential differences, and we can move forward with $200,000 more in the general fund.”
Peresich spoke to the council this afternoon, suggesting that the money be used for city non-profits like the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art, and the natatorium. Mayor Gilich says the city is just beginning to discuss next year’s budget and while they can’t commit to anything, they will take the firm’s suggestion into consideration.
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