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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />APRIL 4, 2017 <br />TITLE: <br />AGREEMENT FOR SPECIAL LEGAL COUNSEL <br />SERVICES WITH MANNING & KASS ELLROD <br />RAMIREZ TRESTER, LLP RELATED TO POLICE <br />LITIGATION AND PERSONNEL SERVICES <br />(STRAGIC PLAN NO. 1, 3, 4, 5) <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />❑ As Recommended <br />❑ As Amended <br />❑ Ordinance on 181 Reading <br />❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />❑ Implementing Resolution <br />Set Public Flearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Authorize the City Manager and the Clerk of the Council to execute an agreement with Manning <br />& Kass Ellrod Ramirez Trester, LLP related to police litigation and personnel services, for a two <br />(2) year term for a maximum amount to be spent of $350,000 subject to non - substantive changes <br />approved by the City Manager and the City Attorney. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Manning & Kass Ellrod Ramirez Trester, LLP is a highly reputable full service law firm that has <br />provided legal services to numerous cities, counties and other public entities since 1996. The <br />firm, headquartered in Los Angeles, has more than 175 attorneys in six offices, including an <br />office in Orange County. The firm's Government Entity Liability team has been successful in <br />defending numerous municipalities in law enforcement civil liability, municipal liability, and <br />employment litigation matters. Eugene Ramirez, a founding partner of the firm, specializes in <br />municipal liability and police litigation. He has a reputation of receiving excellent results for public <br />agencies in police matters and heads the firm's Governmental Entity Liability Team. Mr. Ramirez <br />has been profiled in the California Lawyer Magazine for his law enforcement defense work and is <br />frequently invited to speak to law enforcement agencies across the United States on use of force, <br />handling high profile cases, and related matters. Manning & Kass was recently named by the <br />Los Angeles Business Journal as the 24th largest firm in Los Angeles. Historically, the City's <br />police personnel matters have been handled by outside counsel to avoid the potential for conflicts <br />between an in -house City Attorney who may have to later defend the same officer in subsequent <br />litigation. The proposed hourly billable rate of $295 is competitive, and comparable to the hourly <br />rate charged by other law firms who have represented the City. <br />On March 9, 2017, the Acting City Manager approved an agreement with Manning & Kass for <br />legal services to defend the City in litigation arising from a personnel board decision. That <br />contract was for $25,000 for a six (6) month term limit. This March 9th contract was necessary <br />25A -1 <br />