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October 21, 2025
ITEM TITLE
Agreement: Approve Amendment to Legal Services Agreement with Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP Report Number: 25-0243
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: City Attorney
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: Yes
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving the first amendment of the legal services agreement with Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP for on-call legal services to increase the not-to-exceed amount on the agreement from $50,000 to $150,000.
SUMMARY
The City Attorney’s Office provides legal review, advice, consultation, and representation on a wide variety of legal issues and litigation related to City operations and staff. The amendment to this agreement will allow the City to continue to use the law firm Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP for on-call legal services.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with CEQA and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
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DISCUSSION
The City Attorney’s Office provides a wide variety of legal services to the City, including legal review, advice, consultation, and representation on diverse matters impacting the City, including its officials, management, and departments.
The City Attorn ey’s Office utilizes private law firms to assist in managing the City’s legal needs. The City presently ha s a legal services agreement with Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP for general on -call legal services. The firm has provided responsive, high quality legal assistance on a variety of matters pursuant to the agreement, including public contracting, general contract review, and the California Environmental Quality Act, among other civil advisory matters.
Given the large volume of legal work, the capacity of the existing agreement has been expended. The proposed first amendment to the legal services agreement for on -call legal services with Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP will increase the not-to-exceed amount on the contract from $50,000 to $150,000.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
It is anticipated that the increase to the contract will be offset with other budgetary savings in the City Attorney Department’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
This contract has the option to be extended for four additional years. If extended , the hourly rates may increase by either $5.00 per hour or the San Diego Carlsbad Consumer Price Index, whichever is greater. The not to exceed will remain unchanged. Any extension of this contract will be considered as part of the annual budget development process in future years.
ATTACHMENTS
1. First Amendment to LSA with Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP for On-Call Legal Services Staff Contact: RoseMarie Horvath, Deputy City Attorney