CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for Employee and Labor Relation Legal Services
MEETING DATE: September 2, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Michala Zinter, Human Resources Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Angela Rivera, Human Resources Director
APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Master Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for as-needed on-call employee and labor relation legal services; and
2.Authorize the Finance Department to issue individual purchase orders on an as-needed basis.
DISCUSSION
The City periodically requires specialized legal services to support the Human Resources Department and the City’s existing legal resources in addressing complex employee and labor relations matters. Due to the specialized nature of these matters and the varying levels of support required throughout the year, the City utilizes qualified legal counsel on an as-needed, on-call basis to provide timely recommendations, legal guidance, and strategic support.
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) is a law firm that was established in 1980, specializing in California labor and employment relations with a background in public agencies and Peace Officer Bill of Rights (POBR) law. This master agreement is intended to ensure the City remains in legal compliance with all applicable California and Federal laws relating to any policies, procedures, guidelines, and memorandums of understanding.
The on-call support provided by LCW would assist the City in managing complex matters, labor relation activities, employment compliance matters, and related administrative functions.
Services would be performed in collaboration with applicable City policies, procedures, and the City Attorney’s office. The specialized legal services are designed to work alongside the City’s current administrative and legal processes which would allow specialized recommendations to be incorporated into the City’s regular decision-making process.
City of Menifee Staff Report
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Master Agreement
September 2, 2026
The scope of services is intended to guide the City by providing specialized recommendations and legal insight relating to labor relations and collective bargaining, employment law, wage and hour support, workplace investigations support, policy development, and strategic labor and employment advisory support.
These matters include, but are not limited to the following examples:
•Serve as lead negotiator or advisor to the agency’s designated negotiation team •Conduct Fair Labor Standards Act classification reviews and wage calculations •Review templates, processes, and related documentation •Assist with the drafting and technical review of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Personnel Rules, and administrative policies
•Provide strategic risk-assessment
•Provide advisory support on high-risk employee relations matters, including disciplinary actions and terminations
The City addresses these complex matters which involve statutory and regulatory requirements, collective bargaining obligations, operational considerations, and potential organizational risk.
The scope allows LCW the flexibility to act in differing capacities depending on the situation.
LCW’s specialized legal guidance can assist the City in properly evaluating the matters and creating appropriate solutions.
The anticipated amount of the proposed agreement exceeds the City Manager’s signing authority.
Pursuant to Resolution No. 24-1569 and Menifee Municipal Code §3.12.060, any contract amount that exceeds the City Manager’s signing authority shall be approved by the City Council.
Additionally, pursuant to Menifee Municipal Code Section 3.12.130, agreements for legal services are exempt from the City’s competitive bidding requirements.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Regular City Business
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the proposed agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore is available within the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 budget under Legal Services for Human Resources within the General Fund (1100-ATN-141-10406-652806).
While the agreement does not have a defined not-to-exceed amount, the estimated cost is $400,000 for general legal services. Because the level of services vary, the agreement would be used on an as-needed basis aligning with the available budgetary funds. Billing would be based on the established hourly rates included in Exhibit B as attached in the agreement.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Agreement