Providence, RI – Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today directed Department of Administration (DOA) Director Richard A. Licht to notify all law firms currently under contract with the state of a 15% fee reduction in legal fees, effective March 1 of this year. The Governor’s directive could save an estimated $444,428 annually for the state.
In addition to all state departments and agencies, the Governor is encouraging all quasi-public agencies to follow suit and notify all outside counsel under contract of a 15% fee reduction.
“This directive is about cutting costs, reducing the projected deficit and balancing the budget,” Governor Chafee said. “In the wake of the recession, many private clients have requested a reduction of legal fees. We are simply making the same reasonable request as these firms’ private clients. The state is a source of steady, dependable work for many law firms across Rhode Island, and if we as a state are serious about balancing the budget we must work to produce significant savings across the board. It is in our collective interest to get our state’s fiscal house in order, and as such we must all share in the sacrifice required to do so.”
The Governor’s directive was announced in a memorandum to be sent from Director Licht to all outside counsel under contract with the state notifying them of the reduction.