Reno-based legal firm to represent Northern Nye County Hospital District

Nye County will retain the legal firm Hoy, Chrissinger, Kimmel, Vallas, PC, and its attorney Thomas Vallas to represent the Northern Nye County Hospital District.

On Tuesday, the Nye County Board of Commissioners sitting as the Trustees for the District approved the engagement letter that set forth the terms upon which the firm will represent the district.

Hoy, Chrissinger, Kimmel, Vallas, PC is a Reno-based law firm with offices in Las Vegas and Reno. It practices construction law, real estate law, technology law and business law, according to its website.

Nye County Commissioner Lorinda Wichman said the firm has been working with the district for less than two days. The firm was retained on Tuesday, and there has been no work for the district in the past.

“The letter of engagement isn’t a contract but it does provide the district with a legal ear for the trustee chair to direct legal questions to,” Wichman said.

Vallas was often sought out by the legal counsel that represented Nye County during Vincent Scoccia’s bankruptcy proceedings.

“Obviously, Mr. Vallas was the attorney our contractor approached when seeking out a legal review of the bylaws for the District. Peripherally, Mr. Vallas was aware of Dr. Scoccia’s bankruptcy and the obstacles we overcame when the questions were raised concerning the validity of the taxing district. So we didn’t have to provide him with the entire history of the district,” Wichman said.

Vallas will review and respond to questions of a legal nature as it relates to the district and the medical services within the district.

Vallas practices primarily health care law, litigation evaluation and management, litigation and trial practice. His clients include hospitals, federally-qualified health centers, physician practices, labs and surgery centers and nonprofit health networks, as well as municipalities, Wichman said.

According to the documents, the firm’s current billing rate is $375 per hour. Additionally, if paralegal services are required, the firm will charge the hospital district $100 per hour.

The firm’s professional fee rates are subject to adjustment in January of every calendar year upon prior notice to the county at the beginning of 2018, according to the documents.

After commissioners voted to retain Hoy, Chrissinger, Kimmel, Vallas, PC, the firm was provided with the draft of the bylaws to review for legalities.

Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dokolova@pvitmes.com.