Item 22 - Agreement and Amendment for Legal Services

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City Attorney Office www.santa-ana.org/city-attorneys-office Item # 22 or City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report June 4, 2024 TOPIC: Agreement and Amendment for Legal Services AGENDA TITLE Agreement with Richards, Watson & Gershon, APC and Amendment to Agreement with Nathan & Kamionski, LLP for Legal Services (General Fund and Non -General Fund) RECOMMENDED ACTION Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Richards, Watson & Gershon, APC to provide legal services for a three-year term beginning June 1, 2024 and expiring June 30, 2027, with a provision for a one-year extension, in a total amount not to exceed $300,000 (Agreement No. A-2024-XXX) and a first amendment to the agreement with Nathan & Kamionski LLP to provide legal services, increasing the amount of the compensation by $450,000 for a total amount of $500,000 (Agreement No. A-2024-XXX). GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes DISCUSSION Richards Waston & Gershon, APC Richards, Watson & Gershon, APC (RWG) is well known for providing municipal law services to public entities and has done so since 1954. It represents more than 50 public agencies and serves as City Attorney for more than 25 cities. The firm is headquartered in Los Angeles and has offices in Brea, Temecula, and San Francisco. Since 2015, RWG has provided general advice and legal review to the City on a case - by -case basis when urgent matters arise in relation to litigation, election issues, or personnel matters requiring immediate attention. This agreement will authorize the City Attorney to call upon RWG to guarantee the continuity of services and allow the City Attorney, as necessary, to defend or file litigation, or seek legal advice when requested by the City Manager. RWG currently represents the City in on -going litigation brought by Share Our Selves Corporation in federal court challenging the validity of a zoning ordinance adopted by the City.