March 11, 2025
City Attorney's Office
DATE: March 11, 2025
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:
Fifth Amendment to the Legal Services Agreement (“LSA”) with Orbach Huff & Henderson, LLP (“Orbach”)
FINANCIAL IMPACT: This fifth amendment will add $200,000 for a total LSA amount not to exceed $770,000. This agreement is
charged to the Risk Management General Liability Fund
50182316-400554
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
December 22, 2020
October 5, 2021
May 17, 2022
June 20, 2023
March 19, 2024
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Additional funds are needed to ensure that the City has the appropriate legal representation for pending and
future police and tort cases.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a fifth amendment to the Orbach Huff &
Henderson, LLP Legal Services Agreement in the
amount of $200,000 for a total contract amount not to
exceed $770,000, with a term ending on June 30, 2027,
to continue representing the City in police and tort cases – City Attorney’s Office (Kimberly Chin 510-620-
6709/Shannon Moore 510-620-6509)
AGENDA
REPORT
March 11, 2025
DISCUSSION:
Orbach Huff & Henderson, LLP (“Orbach”) currently provides special counsel services defending the City in civil rights and law enforcement liability litigation. Orbach has been representing the City in these types of lawsuits since 2020 and were approved from the 2018 Request for Qualifications (RFQ). They currently handle multiple active lawsuits and claims.
Rates for Orbach Huff are: partners $295 per hour, associates $255 per hour, and paralegals $135 per hour.
The City Attorney’s office requests approval of a fifth amendment to the legal services agreement with Orbach Henderson & Huff, LLP, to increase the amount by $200,000 for a total amount not to exceed $770,000 with term ending June 30, 2027.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Orbach Huff LSA, Fifth Amendment (proposed) Attachment 2 – Orbach Huff LSA, Fourth Amendment
Attachment 3 – Orbach Huff LSA, Third Amendment
Attachment 4 – Orbach Huff LSA, Second Amendment
Attachment 5 – Orbach Huff LSA, First Amendment
Attachment 6 – Orbach Huff & Henderson, LLP LSA