Administrative
Report
H.17., File # 24-0194 Meeting Date: 2/6/2024
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: MICHAEL W. WEBB, CITY ATTORNEY
TITLE
APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES WITH MANNING & KASS, ELLROD, RAMIREZ, TRESTER LLP.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This First Amendment to the Agreement for Legal Services with Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP will amend the billing rates for the attorneys who will be working on legal matters and also amend the name of the firm.
BACKGROUND
Attorney Missy O’Linn and her team at Manning Kass, as it is currently known, have represented the City of Redondo Beach since 1993. That representation started during the tenure of Jerry Goddard as City Attorney and has continued through the tenures of Chiefs of Police from Mel Nichols to current Chief Joe Hoffman. Highlights of this 30 years of service include the defense of numerous claims of civil rights violations, wrongful death, assault, battery, allegations of negligence, multiple K9 incidents, vehicle pursuits and more.
In those 30 years, the firm has represented the City and the members of the Redondo Beach Police Department in 134 incidents. Throughout the representation of the City in many high profile matters, the interests of the City and its police officers have been exceptionally well protected with case after case being dismissed at the pleadings stage as a result of motion proceedings, acquiescence by the plaintiffs or in some cases by monetary settlement. In fact, the majority of the matters have been dismissed, settled for a waiver of costs and fees, settled for either a nominal amount or a reasonable amount given the facts of the case (with the largest amount having been a recent 2023 settlement for $1.75M in an OIS case with one of the nation’s foremost plaintiffs’ counsel opposing the City in a potential 8-digit exposure case).
The hourly rate Manning & Kass charges the City of Redondo Beach has not changed since April, 2015. This amendment would change the partner rate to $275 from $250, the rate for associates to $225 from $200, and the rate for paralegals to $135 from $120.
COORDINATION
The First Amendment has been approved by Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP and has
H.17., File # 24-0194 Meeting Date: 2/6/2024
been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
ATTACHMENTS
- Agreement for Legal Services with Manning, & Kass, Ellrod, Martinez, Trester LLP - First Amendment to Agreement for Legal Services with Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP
- Missy O’Linn Biography