City Attorney’s Office
www.santa-ana.org/city-attorneys-office
Item # 21
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
December 19, 2023
TOPIC: Legal Research Subscription Services with Thomson Reuters (Westlaw) TITLE
Approve Agreement with Thomson Reuters for Legal Research Subscription Services (General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Thomson Reuters for legal research subscription services in the amount of $102,889.92 for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026, subject to non-substantive changes approved by the City Manager and the City Attorney (Agreement No. 2023- XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The City Attorney’s Office (CAO) utilizes legal research services with access to multiple online court records systems, updated legislation, court filings, case history, and advanced subject matter research tools to provide legal advice to assist the City. The two main companies which provide legal subscription services utilized through the country are LexisNexis and Thomson Reuters, or as it is commonly referred to as Westlaw. Since 2021, CAO utilized services via LexisNexis.
In Spring 2023, CAO staff entered into a separate agreement with Thomson Reuters to access additional legal research tools available only through Thomson Reuters. With the LexisNexis agreement set to expire, CAO staff reached out to both vendors for quotes for the next three-year term. After review of the services and research library, discussion with attorneys regarding preference, and review of all costs for legal subscription services currently utilized by CAO, the City Attorney’s Office has determined that a new three year agreement with Thomson Reuters will provide CAO with legal research tools capable of meeting the legal challenges, and technological advancements, needed to service the City of Santa Ana.
Legal Research Subscription Services Agreement
December 19, 2023
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FISCAL IMPACT
Costs for the subscription services will be paid out of the City Attorney’s Office - Contractual Services (Account No. 01108032-66511) funds.
Fiscal Year Estimated Cost
FY 2023-24 $16,644.00
FY 2024-25 $33,787.32
FY 2025-26 $34,800.96
FY 2026-27 $17,657.64
TOTAL $102,889.92
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Legal Research Subscription Services Agreement – Thomson Reuters Submitted By: Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
Approved By: Tom Hatch, Interim City Manager