Conflict Defense Associates Rehired

Following the recommendation of the county’s judges, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday awarded a $1.7-million contract to a Ventura law firm that will defend the poor.

In rehiring Conflict Defense Associates, the county rejected a lower bid from an outside firm, John A. Barker & Associates of Madera. Last month, the judges said they decided to back the local group after it slashed its price by $460,000 and promised to rein in costs.

The judiciary said they also believe that Conflict Defense Associates, which has represented indigent defendants in Ventura County for 18 years, provides quality work. With a 4-0 vote, the supervisors agreed Tuesday.

Supervisor Susan Lacey abstained from the vote because her attorney husband, Edward Lacey, does work for Conflict Defense Associates.

Barker’s $1.1-million offer undercut by half the original $2.2-million bid from Conflict Defense Associates. After Conflict Defense Associates was told it might lose the contract, the local firm brought its price down to $1.7 million.

County administrators aggressively sought competition for the contract this year because Conflict Defense Associates has rung up cost overruns totaling $1.4 million over the past three years.

As part of their current one-year contract, the Ventura lawyers pledged to stay within their budget and to restructure fiscal operations to ensure that costs are contained. The county has an option to renew for an additional year. Supervisor Judy Mikels praised chief county administrator Lin Koester and contract manager Robert Sherman for addressing the cost overruns in the Conflict Defense Associates contract. She said the problem has been festering for years.