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Agreements for Legal Services <br />December 2, 2025 <br />Page 2 <br />5 <br />4 <br />5 <br />5 <br />Richards Watson & Gershon APC <br />RWG has provided general advice and legal review to the City on a case-by-case basis <br />when matters arise in relation to litigation, election issues, or personnel matters <br />requiring immediate attention. RWG recently concluded representation of the City in a <br />federal civil rights lawsuit and the City is processing the remaining invoices. The City <br />wants to continue to have RWG available to provide litigation and general advice <br />services as needed. <br />Goldfarb & Lipman LLP <br />On November 21, 2023, the City entered into a three (3) year agreement with Goldfarb <br />Lipman LLP to provide legal services for municipal advisory and litigation services <br />including defending the City in litigation involving challenges to the City’s Rent <br />Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. Since 2023, an increase in litigation <br />and writ actions, stemming from the Ordinance, required the City to re-evaluate its <br />current agreement to allow and provide continued and uninterrupted legal defense to <br />the City. Goldfarb Lipman LLP, with its vast experience and success provided by this <br />firm, will continue to focus on serving public entities with a positive community impact <br />through affordable housing and community economic development. <br />ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT <br />There is no environmental impact associated with this action. <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br />Richards Watson & Gershon APC <br />Specialized legal services during the remainder of the term for this Agreement, fiscal <br />year 2025-26, will be paid out of the General Non-Departmental Contractual Services <br />(Account No. 01105015-62300) funds. Funding is available in the current FY 2025-26 <br />budget and funding for subsequent fiscal years will be included in the proposed budgets <br />for City Council consideration. <br /> <br />Fiscal Year Accounting Unit- <br />Account # <br />Account <br />Description <br />Amount <br />FY 2025-26 01105015-62300 General Non- <br />Departmental <br />Contractual <br />Services Fund <br />$250,000 <br />FY 2026-27 01105015-62300 General Non- <br />Departmental <br />Contractual <br />Services Fund <br />$50,000