By Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland
December 17, 2007

Denver just renewed its collection contract with the law firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP, with the expectations of recovering even more delinquent receivables than ever before. The city will immediately turn over an additional $9.6 million for collection to the law firm under the new contract. Linebarger Goggan has represented the city since 2003.

Linebarger Goggan, one of the Conference of Mayors’ newest Platinum Partners, has been collecting everything from past parking tickets to bounced checks for Denver, bringing in over $4 million in additional revenue to date. Bruce Moore, Denver Tax Collections & Compliance Manager, noted that, “We just want to get the money owed to the city so we can deliver the services our taxpayers expect. We have found that some people only respond when a third party, like the law firm, reminds them.”

The city passed an ordinance in 2004 allowing a collection fee to be added to its outstanding debts. Moore added, “It dawned on us: why is the city bearing the brunt of these collections costs?” Now that the costs associated with the additional collection effort is passed directly on to the debtor, the city receives the benefit of the full amount it was owed.

Linebarger Goggan represents hundreds of cities across the country, helping them collect everything from delinquent parking citations and traffic fines, to emergency medical services charges, to tolls and property taxes. The firm is one of the nation’s largest collectors of public sector receivables and it is estimated that they will collect over $1 billion this year for their government clients alone. The firm has received the Conference of Mayors public-private partnership awards for its services to Chicago, Dallas and Houston.

For additional information about Linebarger Goggan, contact Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland at 301-460-5251 or kweyland@usmayors.org.