2049 Century Park East Suite 750, Los Angeles, CA 90067 (323) 813-1910 • kevingres.com
August 7, 2023
Mr. Quinn Barrow, Esq. ([email protected])
City Attorney, Manhattan Beach
c/o Richards, Watson & Gershon
350 South grand Ave. 37th fl.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Re: Prosecutorial Services Proposal
Mr. Barrow and Esteemed Members of City Council:
I am writing to present a proposal for providing legal services to the City of Manhattan Beach. As a seasoned law firm with extensive experience in criminal law, we are eager to further collaborate with the city. Specifically, in light of recent state and county changes made to criminal prosecution, innovative ideas are needed to ensure that Manhattan Beach stays safe, clean, and protected.
The work this firm has done with Manhattan Beach has already proven to be fruitful, and deepening this professional relationship would continue to prove meaningful.
Introduction:
Kevin Gres is the driving force behind The Law Offices of Kevin Gres, bringing with him an impressive academic background that includes graduating from Yeshiva University's Sy Syms School of Business and Southwestern Law School's SCALE and TAHP programs. His unwavering dedication to the legal field has centered exclusively on criminal prosecution and defense in California since 2012.
During the period from 2012 to 2016, Kevin was elected and served as the Vice President of the South Robertson Neighborhoods Council, where his leadership played a pivotal role in working collaboratively with law enforcement and residents to prioritize and resolve problem areas through practical and effective solutions.
As a criminal prosecutor in the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, Kevin gained invaluable firsthand experience in witnessing the quality-of-life issues plaguing Los Angeles neighborhoods. His astute observation of the legal solutions that effectively curbed crime
and improved neighborhoods, as well as those that were less productive, have shaped his approach to law practice.
Post his tenure at the City Attorney's Office, Kevin graduated from the LAPD Citizen's Academy and continued his legal journey as a City Prosecutor, representing Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Culver City, Downy, Norwalk, Bellflower, Cudahy, and other municipalities with distinction.
In 2016, Kevin founded his own legal practice, which has since been a prominent advocate for individuals and corporations facing accusations or investigations related to white- collar and various other crimes. He has handled a diverse range of cases, from complex white- collar matters such as tax, medical, and credit card fraud, to state felony and misdemeanor cases, including charges like attempted murder, extortion, theft, prostitution, spousal abuse, DUI, fraud, and assault with a deadly weapon.
Kevin's commitment to justice extends beyond the courtroom. He has actively contributed to the City of Manhattan Beach since 2018 as an Administrative Hearing Officer, adjudicating appeals related to administrative hearings and parking citations. He has also been sought after as a resource and workshop facilitator for Manhattan Beach Code Enforcement personnel, addressing various legal issues, including search and seizure, warrant exceptions, probable cause, and reasonable suspicion searches. In recognition of his expertise, Kevin was invited by Supervising Code Enforcement Officer, Gilbert Quijada, to participate in Manhattan Beach Code Enforcement’s hiring panel in 2023.
In addition to his legal practice, Kevin serves as a guest lecturer at the John Jay School of Criminal Justice in New York City and other CUNY schools. Furthermore, he has made significant contributions as a guest professor at Southwestern Law School, where he shares his knowledge and insights through seminar courses focused on advanced criminal law topics.
As a testament to his dedication to societal betterment, Kevin has been appointed to the Advisory Board of Project Tikvah, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to addressing recidivism among young adults struggling with addiction and mental health issues.
With an unparalleled perspective gained from his experiences on both sides of criminal law, Kevin fosters effective problem-solving approaches, bolstered by his creative legal strategies and genuine passion to help others. This combination makes Kevin Gres a truly invaluable resource for his clients and a respected figure within the legal community.
Services Available:
The Law Offices of Kevin Gres provides services to our clients in the following areas as they relate to criminal prosecution:
• Criminal complaints
• Bail motions/sources of bail
• Search and Seizure Defense/Motions to Suppress
• Warrants
• Search and Seizure consulting and live workshops
• Plea negotiations including informal, formal and judicial diversion options • Probation violation proceedings
• Administrative citation hearings and appeals
• Parking citation appeals
• Code enforcement workshops and design to optimize success rates/compliance • Appellate practice
• Pitchess Motions
• Building code violations (building, plumbing, electrical) • Public Records Request
• Red light abatement
Why Choose the Law Offices of Kevin Gres?
Dedicated exclusively to the realm of criminal law, Kevin Gres and his team are committed to navigating the complexities of this field. Kevin's understanding of the criminal justice system extends beyond theoretical knowledge, encompassing practical experience. This practical insight empowers Kevin and his team to devise innovative solutions and resolve matters with utmost efficiency, specifically to meet the goals of Manhattan Beach.
The following examples are a few of the creative problem-solving approaches that Kevin brings to the forefront:
• Informal and Judicial Diversion programs are often perceived by prosecutors and city officials as too lenient. Many cities are counseled to blanketly oppose such motions.
However, certain terms and conditions can be imposed that often render these programs more successful than misdemeanor probation.
• While new cash bail laws have stirred heated debate across the state, these new policies do not impact other, more creative conditions that can be imposed in lieu of cash bail, that would arguably be more efficient. Some of these options include stay away orders and specific protective orders to tailor fit the particulars of a case. • Community service and community labor requirements should be done in Manhattan Beach, not county wide. Instead of requiring a defendant to complete 50 hours of community service out of the city, programs and nonprofits in the city should benefit from this labor directly. This includes trash pickup, graffiti removal, and other similar services. Collaborating with the various city services and vetted non-profits would be greatly beneficial to both the city and the defendant.
Here are some examples of efficiency measures Kevin has spearheaded:
• The Law Office of Kevin Gres has invested in legal automations that cut down paralegal and administrative services required to generate templates and other documents. These extra savings are then passed directly to the city. • Appointments are made with the court instead of idling in court for hours waiting for a case to be called.
• Jury trial waivers are utilized as part of any diversionary program which would help cities save tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees should a trial be necessary. • Fines and fees associated with diversionary programs should be imposed strategically and deliberately to benefit Manhattan Beach.
Rates:
Our firm’s rates for Fiscal year 2023-2024 are:
Criminal Prosecution Attorney Services - $180/hr.
Para-professional services - $170/hr.
We provide services based on hourly rates measured in 6 (six) minute increments.
Our firm does not require a monthly retainer.
In addition to these fees, our firm will be entitled to reimbursement of costs and expenses incurred that include:
• Process server fees
• Online name searches ($5.00/search)
• Online legal research charges
• Postage as incurred
• Transcript requests
• Exhibit/Trial` Preparation
• Approved travel expenses
• Parking
• Any other expense incurred with City approval
We appreciate your interest in our firm, and we look forward to speaking about this opportunity with you in more detail, and answering any questions that may arise.
Very Truly Yours,
Kevin Gres