For Immediate Release

Contact: Monette Goodrich, 713/247-2079;
                  Lorie Arnett,713/437-6163

Houston, Texas -- Houston City Controller Sylvia R. Garcia today released a performance review report of the City's Legal Department. The review was managed by the Office of the Mayor and the Office of the City Controller and performed by the legal management consulting firm of Altman Weil, Inc.

The report finds the Department is well-managed, professional and cost-effective. The Department provides high quality legal services, consistent with the best law offices across the country. However, it is also revealed that the Department is plagued with inadequate compensation and a high turnover among attorneys and paralegals. In addition, the Department was criticized for its deficient and poorly used information technology.

Th focus of the review covered the following key areas: Overall quality of legal function; Cost effectiveness; systems, procedures and management reporting; issues relating to outside counsel; productivity; compensation and professional development. The report included interviews and/or surveys with attorneys, staff members and key clients of the Legal Department.

Says City Controller Garcia, "These reports are essential in managing the operations of our City. They furnish us the with information needed to evaluate the City's performance in providing the best possible services to our citizens."