Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: JAMES MCQUEEN, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
DATE: AUGUST 12, 2025
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE SPECIAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will consider adopting an amendment to the existing special services agreement between the City of Downey and the law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) which provides legal services to the City on matters related to public sector employment in the areas of personnel investigation, management and training on a variety of employment law topics, legal consultation, and representation on labor matters as needed.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Authorize the Mayor to execute the attached amendment to the Special Services Agreement between the City and the law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW).
DISCUSSION
The law firm of LCW currently provides special services to the City on matters related to public sector employment in the areas of: personnel investigation; management and training, on a variety of employment law topics; legal consultation; and representation on labor matters as needed. LCW is one of two public sector law firms used by the City for personnel matters and is well regarded for its expertise in public safety labor matters as well as the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Public Employees’ Medical & Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA).
Current LCW hourly professional rates range from $230 to $415. Effective September 1, 2025, upon the approval of the attached amendment, this range will increase to $280 to $440 per hour. Specifically, the new hourly ranges are: $290 for Labor Relations/Human Resources Consultants, $280 to $350 for Associates, $370 for Senior Counsel, and $440 for Partners. The paraprofessional and litigation support range will be $150 to $185. The last rate increase from LCW was in 2022. The proposed rates for LCW are found to be within current industry standards.
AMENDMENT TO THE SPECIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE AUGUST 12, 2025
PAGE 2
2 This rate increase requires an amendment to the Special Services Agreement between the City and LCW. The LCW agreement can be canceled by either party at any time.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Fiscal Responsibility
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended action will result in expenditures up to budget authority from the General Fund - Human Resources Department Account No. 10-4-1390-0472, as proposed in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operating Budget in the amount of $250,000.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A: Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Amendment No. 6