Administrative
Report
H.6., File # 26-0880 Meeting Date: 9/1/2026
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOY A. FORD, CITY ATTORNEY
TITLE
APPROVE THE AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES WITH REDWOOD PUBLIC LAW, LLP
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Attorney’s Office maintains a list of approved law firms and attorneys from which to select outside counsel when specialized expertise is needed.
This Agreement for Legal Services (“Agreement”) will add Redwood Public Law, LLP (“Redwood Public Law”) to the City’s approved outside counsel list and allow the firm to provide legal services assigned by the City Attorney’s Office on an as-needed basis.
BACKGROUND
Redwood Public Law exclusively represents public agencies, including cities, special districts, and other public entities throughout California. The firm advises and represents public agencies on a broad range of municipal legal matters, including the Brown Act, land use and environmental matters, public contracting, labor and employment, real estate, code enforcement, and litigation.
The City currently retains Jon Goetz of Redwood Public Law under a separate agreement for real estate transactional matters. This Agreement will replace that agreement and expand the City’s ability to utilize Redwood Public Law by adding the firm to the City’s approved outside counsel list. This will allow the City Attorney’s Office to assign the firm to litigation and other specialized legal matters on an as-needed basis.
Adding Redwood Public Law to the City’s approved outside counsel list will provide the City Attorney’s Office with an additional qualified firm when specialized expertise or additional legal support is needed. Legal services will be assigned solely at the discretion of the City Attorney on an as-needed basis.
COORDINATION
Because this Agreement replaces the City’s prior agreement with Jon Goetz (“Goetz”), his existing hourly rate of $440 will remain unchanged. At Goetz’s request, Redwood Public Law agreed to extend that rate to the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys. In addition, the City Attorney’s Office negotiated the hourly rates for the firm’s remaining attorneys and staff that range from approximately 9.09% to 20% below the firm’s standard rates. The City Attorney’s Office approved the Agreement as to form.
H.6., File # 26-0880 Meeting Date: 9/1/2026
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are set aside in the City Attorney’s budget for use of outside counsel. The proposed hourly rates are set forth in Exhibit A to the Agreement. Legal services will be authorized and paid for on an as-needed basis.
Submitted by:
Joy A. Ford, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS
· Agreement for Legal Services with Redwood Public Law