February 17, 2026
DocID #63511v2
City Attorney's Office
DATE: February 17, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM: Shannon Moore, Interim City Attorney
Kimberly Chin, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Subject: Legal Services Agreement Amendment No. 3 with Stoel Rives, LLP for Land Use Matters
FINANCIAL IMPACT: This third amendment will add $100,000 for an amount not to exceed $175,000 and will be paid from the City
Attorney budget legal cost (Account String: 01151014-
400206).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
July 1, 2025
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
An amendment to the Stoel Rives—Guidiville/Land Use
LSA is needed to add funds to ensure that the City has
the appropriate legal representation relating to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and land use matters,
including the existing Point Molate litigations and claims in Guidiville v. United States, and in the Wee v. City of Richmond litigation matter.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE a third amendment to the legal services agreement with Stoel Rives, LLP, to maintain adequate
representation in future and pending land use and
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) related
litigation (Guidiville/Land Use), in the amount of $100,000 for a total amount not to exceed $175,000 with term
ending December 31, 2026 – City Attorney’s Office
(Kimberly Chin 510-620-6709/Shannon Moore 510-620-
6509).
AGENDA
REPORT
February 17, 2026
DocID #63511v2
DISCUSSION:
To ensure the City continues to have the appropriate and adequate representation in future and pending land use and CEQA related litigation against the City, the City Attorney’s Office requests approval of an amendment to the land use/California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) legal services agreement (LSA) with Stoel Rives, LLP (“Stoel Rives”).
Guidiville v. United States (Guidiville Litigation):
For the Point Molate related matter, Guidiville Rancheria v. United States, the proposed amount will allow the City to monitor and maintain representation in the above- referenced litigation, as well as to respond in a timely manner to the claims and matters that may arise.
Attorney Christian Marsh, who has worked on the Guidiville matter since 2022, left Downey Brand in March 2025 to work at Stoel Rives. The City was notified of this change by letter which offered the options of either continuing to work with Downey Brand or having the City’s files transferred to Mr. Marsh’s new firm, Stoel Rives. The City Attorney recommends that the City continues using Mr. Marsh for the Guidiville matters. He has the knowledge and background necessary to represent the City in discussions with Guidiville and to use his insight and historical knowledge in legal review of all relevant documents. It would take a great deal of extra time and additional resources to get another attorney up to speed on these matters, given that Mr. Marsh has been involved since 2022.
Wee v. City of Richmond, and Other CEQA and Land Use Related Litigation In May 2025, the City of Richmond was served in Wee v. City of Richmond, a CEQA- related litigation matter challenging the City’s street sweeping program. To properly defend the City in current and future land use and CEQA related matters, additional funds are required.
The current rates are:
Partner(s) $490/hour
Associate(s) $425/hour
The City Attorney’s Office is requesting City Council approve a third amendment with Stoel Rives, LLP, to increase the amount by $100,000 for a total amount not to exceed $175,000, and a term ending December 31, 2026.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Amendment 3 to Original Contract (proposed) Attachment 2 – Amendment 2 to Original Contract
Attachment 3 – Amendment 1 to Original Contract
Attachment 4 – Original Contract with Stoel Rives, LLP