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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Request for Conflict of interest Waiver in Legal Representation by Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP
1.Motion Authorizing the City Attorney to consent to and execute a conflict of interest waiver for Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP’s representation of Central BWB, LLC in unrelated matters.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Item
Approved for June 9, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council’s authorization is requested for a waiver of legal conflict of interest for Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP’s (Brownstein) representation of Central BWB, LLC (Central BWB) in unrelated matters. Brownstein represents the City in a variety of water matters.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Attorney to consent to and execute a waiver of the conflict described herein.
ANALYSIS
Brownstein represents the City in a variety of water matters, including groundwater rights and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. Central BWB desires to engage Brownstein as counsel in connection with land use, real estate, and permitting issues relating to 1303-1315 North Central Avenue (Development Matters), adverse to the City. The Development Matters are not related to Brownstein’s work and representation of the City in the water matters. Stephanie Hastings is the lead counsel who represent the City in the water matters. The lead counsel in the Development Matters will be Daniel Freedman.
The City and Ms. Hastings, believe that there will not be a material risk of having less zealous representation of the City by Brownstein in water matters, or any effects on the professional judgment of Ms. Hastings and her assisting attorneys working on the City’s water matters, resulting from Brownstein’s representation of Central BWB in the 25e
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Development Matters. Additionally, in the event litigation develops between Central BWB and the City regarding the Development Matters, Brownstein will not represent either the City or Central BWB in litigation against the other related to the Development Matters.
This conflict waiver will also authorize Brownstein to accept engagement from both the City and Central BWB, in other matters unrelated to the Development Matters and the water matters, without further notice to either client so long as those matters do not create any new conflict of interest between the clients – the City and Central BWB, respectively.
For the reasons above, it is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Attorney to consent to and execute a waiver of conflict described herein on behalf of the City of Glendale.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
Not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the concurrence with and the execution of the conflict waiver described herein.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The action requested herein has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such is not a project subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs. Section 15378
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. Not authorize the Conflict of Interest Waiver as requested herein.
2. Council’s consideration of any other alternatives not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Michael J. Garcia, City Attorney
Prepared by:
Dorine Martirosian, Principal Assistant City Attorney
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Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
None.