Hawkins represented the State of California as special counsel to the Judicial Council’s Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) in connection with the procurement of new court facilities on an alternative project delivery basis. This procurement involved the use of public-private partnerships (PPP or P3) in which a private firm design, builds, finances and operates (DBFO) the new facilities. This project was a groundbreaking P3 project for the State, and a landmark event in P3 development of public infrastructure in the United States.
In 2011, the project won a “Deal of the Year” award from the Bond Buyer. Hawkins drafted and negotiated the DBFO service contract and participated centrally in the RFP, evaluation and selection process as the State’s lead counsel. This project is part of a major initiative by the State in new forms of public works contracting and Hawkins played a key legal role in counseling the State’s judicial, legislative and executive branches as to statutory, procedural and business issues that have arisen in its successful implementation.
The lead partner for this transaction was Eric S. Petersen.
