Attorney Services Family Division - 17th Circuit Court

PURCHASING DIVISION
Joni Laming, Manager
(616) 632-7720
purchasing@kentcountymi.gov
SOLICITATION
Solicitation Type Request for Proposal (RFP)
Solicitation Number 6703
Description Attorney Services Family Division - 17th Circuit Court
Date of Issuance 9/9/2026
Inquiries Deadline Date & Time (local) 9/16/2026, 2 PM
Due Date & Time (local) 9/18/2026, 2 PM
Buyer Name Okke
INTRODUCTION
The Kent County Purchasing Division is soliciting proposals for attorney services for indigent parties
brought before the 17th Circuit Court, Family Division starting October 1, 2026 through September 30,
2027.
Delinquency/Child Protective Cases
The Court intends to consider for placement on its appointment list for new delinquency and child
protective cases (and some other related case types) those attorneys who indicate they are interested in
accepting these appointments. Delinquency and Child Protective appointments will be compensated by
case event. See appendix A for Delinquency Case Rates and Appendix B for Neglect Case Rates.
No attorney will be placed on this list if they do not indicate through this process that they want to be
considered for these appointments. The appointment list for these cases is limited. Attorneys must
indicate their preference for the types of cases assigned (see Preference Sheet).
Attorneys who indicate a desire to be considered for appointments for child protective cases must be
willing to accept appointments for parents as well as children. It is also requested that those responding
indicate a desire to be considered for appointment to pursue appeals to the Court of Appeals on family
court termination of parental rights, and representation of minor females on Parental Rights Restoration
Act cases.
Attorneys placed on the family division appointment list will be required to show proof of professional
liability insurance on themselves, applicable to the services to be rendered, of at least $100,000 each
individual and $300,000 each occurrence for any and all liability arising through acts of the attorney
under the above agreement.
Attorneys placed on the family division appointment list will be evaluated on the following expectations:
1. Preparedness and adequate representation (As determined by the Judge)
2. Timeliness
3. Responsiveness/Availability to clients and the Court
4. Availability for hearings*
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5. Adherence to the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct
*Pursuant to MCL 721.A17d(1)(h), The court will only allow substitutes for L-GAL representation with
prior court approval.
Lawyer-Guardian Ad Litem Contact and Documentation
An attorney on the appointment list may be appointed to represent a parent or, as lawyer-guardian ad
litem, the child, on a rolling basis depending on the case. When appointed as lawyer-guardian ad litem,
counsel must meet the child-contact duties of MCL 712A.17d(1)(d) and, in each such case, present a
completed Form JC 82, Verified Statement of Service Performed by Lawyer-Guardian Ad Litem, to the
court at each hearing at which contact is required, and file the form in the case. Until child protective
matters are filed electronically, counsel shall present the form to the assigned judge at the hearing by
the method the judge designates and shall file it in the case; presentation at the hearing does not
depend on the clerk's filing status. Once these matters are filed electronically, filing the form through
the electronic filing system before the hearing satisfies both requirements.
Where the required contact did not occur, counsel must so state on the form, specify the reasons, and
be prepared to state the reasons on the record under MCR 3.915(B)(2)(a). Where counsel appears as a
substitute, the substitute must complete the substitute affirmation on Form JC 82 and file the form;
substitution remains subject to MCL 712A.17d(1)(h) and MCR 3.915(D)(2).
These requirements implement existing law and are being adopted by issuance, 17th Circuit Court Local
Administrative Policy 2026-02. The Family Division will consider compliance, as reflected in the case
record, in its annual review and selection of court-appointed counsel.
RFP Specifications:
Responses to this Request for Proposal must include the following information:
* Family Division Attorney Services Preference Sheet including:
o The name of individual attorney to be assigned cases
o The type(s) of case(s) to be considered for appointment
o A brief statement of how cases will be covered in case of illness or other absence, which
must be provided by an attorney on the Court's contract appointment list
* Resume of participating attorney
* A copy of current proof of liability insurance
* Verification of 8 hours of training (Existing Attorneys) CLE certification form attached
A panel of Circuit/Family Court Judges and staff, as appropriate, will evaluate all attorneys responding to
this proposal. Preference may be given to attorneys currently contracting with the Court or who are on
the current Family Division appointment list. Attorneys on the current list for family division cases must
have completed 8 hours of continuing legal education within the prior contract year (since October 1,
2025) to be considered for the list in 2026-2027. Before being assigned a first case, a new attorney to
the family list must observe at least one hearing at each procedural stage of every case type for which
the attorney seeks appointment (for child protective cases: preliminary hearing, adjudication,
disposition, dispositional review, permanency planning, and termination; for delinquency cases:
preliminary hearing, pretrial, adjudication, disposition, and review) and must attend an orientation
provided by the Court. New attorneys will also be required to develop a relationship with an attorney
mentor. All attorneys must agree to accept payment exclusively through electronic methods. In
addition, all attorneys must agree to receive court-related documents electronically. From time to time,
the Court convenes a mandatory training for all attorneys on the family division list; attendance is
required. Hours completed at a Court-convened mandatory training count toward the required 8 hours
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of continuing legal education. New attorneys added to the NA court-appointed list will not be assigned
children as clients for the first year. The Chief Judge of the Circuit Court will execute the contracts.
Most continuing legal education will be accepted toward the required hours if it has a direct impact on
child protective or juvenile justice practice. Free live and recorded resources include, without limitation:
* Michigan Courts events and training calendar: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/events/
* SCAO Child Welfare Services training and development:
https://www.courts.mi.gov/administration/offices/child-welfare-services/cws-training-and-
development/
* Michigan Courts human trafficking training and resources:
https://www.courts.mi.gov/HumanTrafficking
* Indian Child Welfare Act and Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act resources:
https://www.courts.mi.gov/ICWAMIFPA
* Parent attorney resources: https://www.courts.mi.gov/ParentAttorney
* ABA Center on Children and the Law:
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/child_law/
* Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention webinars, live and recorded:
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/taxonomy/term/webinars
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
Complete submissions must be received in the Kent County Purchasing Division on or before the due
date/time specified by the designated clock (local time). Late, faxed, or emailed submissions will NOT
be considered.
Submissions may be submitted electronically on the Bid Opportunities page of the Kent County
Purchasing Division's website. Respondent must include a complete proposal as 1 non-password
protected PDF document.
The time required to upload a submission may vary. Respondent assumes all risks associated with
electronic submission, including technological difficulties, and deems the County and its service provider
harmless and without fault. Successful electronic submissions are confirmed via Respondent's email.
Respondent shall view the link in the confirmation email to determine accuracy prior to due date/time.
Submissions must have the following:
The Family Division Attorney Services Preferences Sheet form (attached) and required
supporting documents listed on preference sheet shall be combined into (1) one PDF document
and submitted electronically.
Submissions may only be withdrawn by written request if the request is received before the due
date/time. Withdrawals after opening shall be subject to Kent County Fiscal Policy - Centralized
Purchasing 5(i)(2).
NO BID
Please provide feedback if you are electing not to participate in this Solicitation.
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Phone Number:
Case Name:
Judge:
Hearing Date Statement of Service Amount
$142.00
$212.00
$213.00
$462.00
$249.00
$179.00
$638.00
Each additional 12 day $155.00
Juvenile Case Number:
(i.e. extends beyond first day)
Total $
D ated: Attorney Signature:
Please note that invoices received after 60 days from the date of the event will not be paid.
2027 DELINQUENCY INVOICE
Attorney Name:
Attorney Address:
Review Hearing
$179.00
$84.00
$221.00
$567.00
$79.00/hr.
$79.00/hr.
$79.00/hr.
(includes motions and other Miscellaneous
Hearings)
Adjourned/Cancelled Hearings w/o Notice
Waiver Phase One Hearing or Designated Adjudications
Waiver Phase Two Hearing or DJ Dispositions/Sentencing
GAL-Appointed GAL for child or parent who is not also
the child's DL attorney
Dual Wards-Event bill until Adjudication; hourly bill DL
portion after adjudication
Extraordinary Time (requires judicial approval)
Preliminary Hearing
DL Case Conference or DJ Preliminary Hearing
Pretrial Conference
APPENDIX A
(includes Consent Calendar)
Pretrial Conference with Plea
Adjudication/Disposition Hearing
Disposition Hearing
Trial and Initial Disposition Hearing

Preliminary Hearing held $162.00
Preliminary Hearing held and continued $89.00
Review Hearings (includes Dispositional, Post-Termination,
Motion, Guardianship Termination, Emergency Removals, and other
Miscellaneous Hearings) $368.00
Permanency Planning Hearing $365.00
Adjudication at a Review Hearing $499.00
Adjudication Hearing $608.00
Each additional 12 day - $155.00 (i.e. extends beyond first day)
Termination Hearing $626.00
Each additional 12 day - $155.00 (i.e. extends beyond first day)
$84.00
$95.00
(see above)
(see above)
$79.00/hr
** Long distance travel mu st first receive judicial approval, or other alte rnative
means of contact should be used.
Total $
As it relates to child protective cases, I have consulted with the child's parents and/or guardians,
foster care providers and caseworkers. In addition, I have met with and observed the child
before every proceeding or hearing and/or reviewed the agency case file.
I declare the above statements are true to the best of my information, knowledge, and belief.
Dated: Attorney Signature:
Please note that invoices received after 60 days from the date of the event will not be paid.
2027 NEGLECT INVOICE
Attorney Name:
Attorney Address:
Phone Number:
Case Name:
Name of Client(s): Case Numbers(s):
Relationship: Mother ( ) Father ( ) Child/Children ( ) Judge:
Hearing Date Statement of Service Amount
Adjourned/Cancelled hearings without Notice
Family team meeting (attach DHHS form 1105)
GAL-event bill
Dual Wards-event bill
Extraordinary Time (requires
APPENDIX B
judicial approval)

Attorney Name:
Substitute Attorney Name: Phone #:
Billing Attorney Address:
Case Name:
Name of Client(s): Case Numbers(s):
Relationship: Mother ( ) Father ( ) Child/Children ( ) Judge:
Hearing Date Statement of Service Amount
Preliminary Hearing $162.00
Review Hearings (includes Dispositional, Post-Termination, Motion,
Guardianship Termination, Emergency Removals, and other Miscellaneous
$194.00
$174.00
$191.00
$174.00
$325.00
$174.00
$434.00
$174.00
$452.00
$174.00
$84.00
(see above)
(see above)
$79.00/hr
** Long dist ance travel must first receive judicial approval, or other alternative
means of contact should be used.
TOTAL $
As it relates to child protective cases, I have consulted with the child's parents and/or guardians,
foster care providers and caseworkers. In addition, I have met with and observed the child
before every proceeding or hearing and/or reviewed the agency case file.
I declare the above statements are true to the best of my information, knowledge, and belief.
Dated: Attorney Signature:
2027 NEGLECT INVOICE
(To Be Used When Attorney and Substitute Attorney Have Served an Event)
Hearings)
Hearing Prep
Hearing
Permanency Planning Hearing
Hearing Prep
Hearing
Adjudication at a Review Hearing
Hearing Prep
Hearing
Adjudication Hearing
Hearing Prep
Hearing
Termination Hearing
Hearing Prep
Hearing
Adjourned/Cancelled hearings without Notice (flat rate)
GAL event bill
Dual Wards-event bill
Extraordinary Time (requires
APPENDIX B (cont)
judicial approval)

RFP 6703 - Court Appointed Attorney Services- 17th Circuit Court (Family Division)
SUBMISSION FORMAT (Submissions must be submitted on this form or in the format outlined below)
FAMILY DIVISION ATTORNEY SERVICES
PREFERENCE SHEET
Attorney Name:________________________________________________________________
CIRCUIT COURT FAMILY DIVISION
Please indicate preference(s) by checking the appropriate boxes
Neglect/Abuse Appointments
Juvenile Delinquency Appointments
Paternity Appointments
Parental Waiver Appointments
Appellate Appointments
Unaccompanied Minors
State how cases will be covered in case of illness or other absence (must be covered by an
attorney on the Court's contract appointment list):
Required Proposal Attachments:
* Resume of participating attorney
* Proof of liability insurance
* Statement indicating you have completed 8 hours of continuing legal education (existing
attorneys) along with the attached CLE certification form to detail training
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