Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2025
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: LAURA GIANNETTI-MERCER, ACTING DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES PREPARED BY: LAURA GIANNETTI-MERCER, ACTING DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES SUBJECT: AGREEMENT with liebert cassidy whitmore FOR LEGAL SERVICES
SUMMARY
Consideration of legal services agreements with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) to provide labor and employment law services and related matters.
PROPOSED MOTION
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute agreement with LCW, in a final form approved by the City Attorney’s Office.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Provide direction to staff
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff projects fees to remain within approved legal services budgets and does not request additional funding.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) law firm has significant expertise in labor and employment law with a focus on the public sector and education. Scott Tiedemann, LCW managing partner and lead attorney on City of Fullerton matters, has significant experience working with public agency employers on labor and employment issues related to public safety. This firm has provided labor and employment law services to the City since 2012.
The current agreement expired on June 30, 2025. LCW requests the following hourly rate increases:
Current Hourly Rate
Agreement Year One Requested Hourly Rate
Agreement Year Two Requested Hourly Rate
Partners
$405
$440
$450
Senior Counsel
$340
$365
$375
Paraprofessionals and litigation support staff
$140
$165
No change
These rates fall within industry standards for similar specialized services and would lock in through June 30, 2027.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Agreement for Provision of Legal Services Liebert Cassidy Whitmore cc: Interim City Manager Eddie Manfro
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Legal Services Agreement
September 16, 2025 - Page 2