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J+tV OF k, i COUNTY OF HAWAIJ STATE OF HAWAIJ 60 if RESOLUTION NO. 50 2S A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EMPLOYMENT OF A PRIVATE ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT THE COUNTY OF HAWAIJ IN OPIOID LITIGATION AGAINST TARGET AND SIMILARLY SITUATED DEFENDANTS WHEREAS, on or about April 10, 2019, Hawaii County Council authorized the retention of Napoli Shkolnik PLLC and their local counsel, the HI Accident Law Center, to bring a lawsuit against the manufacturers of prescription opioid pain killers (as well as those entities within the prescription opioid distribution chain) for their unfair and deceptive business practices, false advertising, public nuisance, and fraud on the public, resulting in a public health emergency due to the continued increase in drug overdose addiction and drug overdose deaths; and WHEREAS, on or about March 17, 2021, Hawaii County Council authorized the expansion of the County's retention of Napoli Shkolnik PLLC to bring further opioid claims also against other entities that bear responsibility in the ongoing opioid epidemic; and WHEREAS, the Office of the Corporation Counsel has determined that holding the individual(s) and entities who caused the opioid epidemic accountable, involves proceedings that are complex and require specific expertise and experience in opioid litigation; and WHEREAS, the law firm of Napoli Shkolnik PLLC is experienced at handling opioid litigation; and WHEREAS, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC has informed the County of Hawaii about an opportunity for the County of Hawaii to enter into a Settlement Agreement with Target for a similar opioid litigation settlement; and WHEREAS, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC has agreed to represent the County of Hawai' i in litigation against Target and other potential defendants on a contingency basis, fronting costs therefor; and WHEREAS, County Charter § 6-5.5 requires a two-thirds vote by the County Council to approve employment of special counsel; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI'I that: 1. Pursuant to County Charter § 6-5.5, the County Council authorizes the retention of special counsel, to represent the County of Hawai' i in litigation against Target and other similarly situated opioid defendants, who may be liable to the County of Hawaii for their part in the opioid epidemic; and