July 1, 2025
City Attorney's Office
DATE: July 1, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM: Shannon Moore, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Kimberly Chin, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Subject: Contract Amendment No. 4 to the legal services agreement with Bennett Gelini & Gelini, APC
FINANCIAL IMPACT: This fourth amendment will be for $300,000, for a total amount not to exceed $859,990, and will be charged to
the Risk Management General Liability Fund (Account
String: 50182316-400554).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
September 12, 2023
May 21, 2024
December 3, 2024
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
To continue receiving the appropriate representation
defending the City in active civil litigation and future litigation matters, the City Attorney’s Office requires approval of a fourth amendment to the legal services
agreement with Bennett, Gelini & Gelini, APC.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE a fourth amendment to the legal services agreement with Bennett, Gelini & Gelini, APC, to
increase compensation by $300,000, for a total amount
not to exceed $859,990, with term ending December 31,
2027 – City Attorney’s Office (Kimberly Chin 510-620-
6709/Shannon Moore 510-620-6505).
AGENDA
REPORT
July 1, 2025
DISCUSSION:
Bennett, Gelini & Gelini, APC (BGG), currently provides special counsel services defending the City in tort/dangerous conditions and personal injury litigation. BGG has been representing the City in these types of lawsuits since February 2023, and the City Attorney’s Office is satisfied with its work and wishes to increase the contract payment limit to ensure continuity of service. BGG has the experience and expertise necessary to continue to represent the City in pending and future dangerous conditions and personal injury litigation.
Rates for BGG are as follows:
Partner - $195 per hour
Associate - $170 per hour
Paralegal - $125 per hour
The City Attorney’s Office requests approval of this fourth amendment to the legal services agreement with Bennett, Gelini & Gelini, APC, increasing the payment limit by $300,000, for an amount not to exceed $859,990, with term ending December 31, 2027.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Amendment 4 to the Original LSA (proposed) Attachment 2 – Amendment 3 to the Original LSA
Attachment 3 – Amendment 2 to the Original LSA
Attachment 4 – Amendment 1 to the Original LSA
Attachment 5 – Original LSA with Bennett, Gelini & Gelini, APC