To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: MICHAEL W. WEBB, CITY ATTORNEY ALEENA F. HASHMI, SENIOR DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY
TITLE
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APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH AND LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE, A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City maintains a list of approved law firms and attorneys from which to select outside counsel when special expertise or representation is required in legal matters, or when an attorney conflict of interest arises. Liebert Cassidy Whitmore has been on the City’s approved list of law firms since November 27, 2013. This First Amendment will reflect the current public agency fee schedule as of 2024, and will allow Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to perform limited outside counsel services on an as-needed basis.
BACKGROUND
The Original Agreement for Legal Services (“Agreement”) between the City and Liebert Cassidy Whitmore was entered into on November 27, 2013, and has not been amended since that date. The Agreement currently allows Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to provide consulting services pertaining to the meet and confer process under Government Code section 3500, et seq. (labor negotiations), and any related labor matters, only.
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore specializes in public agency labor and employment law, including but not limited to, complex issues regarding the Peace Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act and the Firefighters Bill of Rights Act.
The City has an immediate need to utilize outside counsel with specialized expertise in these areas to assist with representation of a City employee in a confidential personnel matter, where the City Attorney’s Office is already advising other City officials in the same matter and, therefore, has a conflict of interest. The First Amendment will allow Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to begin such services.
COORDINATION
This First Amendment has been approved by J. Scott Tiedemann of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, and the City Attorney’s Office. The First Amendment was negotiated and reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are set aside in the City Attorney’s and the Human Resource Department’s budget for use of outside counsel. The approval of this First Amendment will not increase the use of outside counsel, but will allow Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to continue representation of the City and its employees on an as-needed basis on specialized labor and employment legal matters.
ATTACHMENTS
• First Amendment to the Agreement for Legal Services between the City of Redondo Beach and Liebert Cassidy Whitmore.
• Agreement for Legal Services between the City of Redondo Beach and Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, executed on November 27, 2013.