Administrative
Report
H.7., File # 22-3716 Meeting Date: 2/8/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: MICHAEL W. WEBB, CITY ATTORNEY
TITLE
APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE ENGAGEMENT LETTER WITH MINTZ LEVIN FOR
LEGAL SERVICES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On July 17, 2018, City Council approved the addition of the law firm of Mintz Levin to the City Attorney’s approved law firms list and approved an Engagement Letter for legal services. This First Amendment to the Engagement Letter for legal services with Mintz Levin would increase the billing rates for the first time in five years.
BACKGROUND
The City Attorney’s office maintains a list of approved law firms and attorneys from which to select when special expertise is required on legal matters.
Mintz Levin is an international law firm with an excellent reputation. It is an Am Law 100 firm with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. (www.mintz.com <http://www.mintz.com>) The lawyers at Mintz Levin have extensive litigation, land use, and environmental experience. In particular, Jon Welner, formerly with Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP has assisted the City with a number of its most challenging legal issues over the last six years. These include: successfully opposing the proposed construction of a new power plant at the existing AES power plant site; successfully opposing the challenge to Measure C brought by CenterCal; and addressing the continuing litigation and land use challenges related to the proposed Redondo Beach Waterfront Project. Due to Jon Welner’s extensive involvement in the above-described matters, the approval of Mintz Levin assistance is important in the continued representations for the City.
COORDINATION
The First Amendment to Engagement Letter for legal services has been approved by Mintz Levin and the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
Jon Welner currently bills other clients at a standard rate of $960; a discounted rate of $910 and a nonprofit/government rate of $860. The City of Redondo Beach currently pays Jon Welner a rate of $620 which has been the same since April 2017, while he was still with his former firm. At that time, the rate of $620 was below his nonprofit/government rate of $650. Five years later, the current rate
H.7., File # 22-3716 Meeting Date: 2/8/2022
the rate of $620 was below his nonprofit/government rate of $650. Five years later, the current rate of $620 that Redondo Beach pays him is $240 below his best discount rate and $340 below his standard rate (although it is significantly higher than the City of Redondo Beach typically pays for the use of outside counsel).
This First Amendment would increase the rate to $760 for new work (which is still $100 below the best discount rate) and adjust the rate for current work to $700.
ATTACHMENTS
· Engagement Letter
· First Amendment to Engagement Letter for Legal Services with Mintz Levin