May 5, 2026
City Attorney's Office
DATE: May 5, 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 with Bennett, Gelini and Gelini, APC (BGG) for Representation and Liability Claim
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed not-to-exceed $500,000 expenditure is included within the approved fiscal year 2025-2026 Risk Management General Liability Fund budget (Account
String: 50182316-400554).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
September 12, 2023
May 21, 2024
December 3, 2024
July 1, 2025
February 17, 2026
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
A new legal services agreement is needed with BGG to
continue receiving and the appropriate representation
defending the City in active civil litigation and future litigation matters.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE a new legal services agreement with Bennett, Gelini and Gelini, APC, for litigation representation and liability claims in an amount not to exceed $500,000 with a term of May 5, 2026, through June 30, 2028,– City
Attorney’s Office (Kimberly Chin 510-620-6709/Shannon
Moore 510-620-6505).
DISCUSSION:
Bennett, Gelini and Gelini, APC (BGG), currently provides special counsel services defending the City in tort/dangerous condition and personal injury litigation. BGG has been representing the City in these types of lawsuits since February 2023, and the City AGENDA
REPORT
May 5, 2026
Attorney’s Office (CAO) is satisfied with its work. Therefore, the CAO wishes to enter into a new legal services agreement with BGG to ensure continuity of service.
BGG currently handles approximately 39 cases on behalf of the City, with additional matters anticipated to be assigned as needed. Due to this high volume, the City Council has previously approved amendments to the BGG agreement on September 12, 2023; May 21, 2024; December 3, 2024; July 1, 2025; and February 17, 2026. BGG has the experience and expertise to continue representing the City in pending and future dangerous condition 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 new legal services agreement with Bennett, Gelini and Gelini, APC, for a total amount not to exceed $500,000 and with term May 5, 2026, through June 30, 2028.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – New Legal Services Agreement with BGG (proposed)