July 2, 2024
DocID #22072v1
City Attorney's Office
DATE: July 2, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Dave Aleshire, City Attorney
Shannon Moore, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Kimberly Chin, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Subject:
Legal Services Agreement
FINANCIAL IMPACT: This agreement is charged to the Risk Management General Liability Fund (50182316-400554).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
A legal services agreement with Neumiller & Beardslee is needed to ensure that the City has appropriate legal
representation and counsel in future and pending
employment litigation matters.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE a legal services agreement with Neumiller & Beardslee, to provide legal advice and representation for employment matters in an amount not to exceed
$200,000, for a term beginning June 17, 2024, to June
30, 2027 – City Attorney’s Office (Kimberly Chin 510-620- 6709/Shannon Moore 510-620-6505).
DISCUSSION:
The City Attorney’s Office is requesting a legal services agreement with Neumiller & Beardslee (NM) to provide legal advice and representation for employment matters. NM is a seasoned law firm that has experience in municipal law and employment law, and has represented government agencies of all types. Attorney Lisa Blanco Jimenez, a AGENDA
REPORT
July 2, 2024
DocID #22072v1
shareholder and principal attorney at NM, is an experienced employment attorney, who has represented clients from initial intake through trial in State and Federal courts and before administrative boards. Ms. Jimenez has the experience and expertise necessary to represent and advise the City in employment matters; therefore, the City intends to retain Ms. Jimenez for future and pending employment cases, as well as to provide employment advice and counsel.
The rates for NM are:
Position or Title Hourly Rates
Partner(s) $300
Associate(s) $250
Paralegal(s) $125
The City Attorney’s Office is requesting that the City enter into a contract with Neumiller & Beardslee, for a total contract amount of $200,000, for a contract term from June 14, 2024, to June 30, 2027. The effective date of June 14, 2024 is required because of pending litigation which required NM immediate legal services.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Legal Services Agreement with Neumiller & Beardslee (proposed)