City Attorney’s Office
www.santa-ana.org/ca
Item # 11
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
July 1, 2025
TOPIC: Agreements and Amendment for Legal Services
AGENDA TITLE
Agreement with Graves & King LLP; Agreement with Jones Mayer; and a First Amendment to Agreement with Bobko Law, APC
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement with Graves & King LLP to provide legal services for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2028, with a provision for a one-year extension, in a total amount not to exceed $500,000 (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX); to execute an Agreement with Jones Mayer to provide legal services for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2025 and expiring June 30, 2028, with a provision for a one-year extension, in a total amount not to exceed $500,000 (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX); and to execute a First Amendment to the Agreement with Bobko Law APC to provide legal services, increasing the compensation in a total amount not-to-exceed $500,000 (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
In an effort to increase efficiency and streamline approvals for contract services related to ongoing legal services, the City Attorney' s Office is submitting this omnibus staff report for three (3) legal services agreements. The City Attorney's Office asks the City Council to approve the legal services agreements and amendment herein, as each supports ongoing operations related to legal issues, which vary from labor and employment law, land use, and general liability. The foregoing agreements and amendment are for services with the following law firms and in the amounts listed below:
Graves & King LLP
The legal services agreement with Graves & King LLP (“G&K”) is set at a not-to-exceed amount of $500,000 for the term of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028, with an option to
Agreements and Amendment for Legal Services
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extend the term for an additional one-year period, for legal services in the area of civil litigation. In 2022, the City Attorney’s Office initiated a request for proposal process to engage G&K to represent the City for a wrongful death claim. G&K has built a strong reputation for representing public entities regarding a variety of issues. Since its engagement with the City, G&K has continued to provide the City with timely and responsive work product and excellent litigation results for the City. This new agreement will serve to provide continued strong legal representation for the City, including with ongoing litigated matters.
Jones Mayer
The legal services agreement with Jones Mayer LLP (“Jones Mayer”) is set at a not-to- exceed amount of $500,000 for the term of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028, with an option to extend the term for an additional one-year period, for legal services in the area of administrative and litigation matters, including general liability, personnel, and police matters. Founded in 1976, Jones Mayer’s reputation and expertise in municipal matters has served the City of Santa Ana and the City Attorney’s Office since 2012. This new agreement will serve to provide continued strong legal representation for the City, including with ongoing litigated matters.
Bobko Law APC
The first amendment for legal services with Bobko Law APC (“Bobko Law”) will amend the not-to-exceed amount from $50,000 to $500,000 for the remaining period of the Agreement through October 23, 2026, with an option to extend the agreement. The initial engagement was entered into with Bobko Law to provide immediate assistance for the City. The selection to engage Bobko Law was based on the prior work experience with Patrick “Kit” Bobko during his tenure as a partner with Ring Bender LLP and Richards Watson & Gershon, which the City had previously engaged, and Mr.
Bobko’s over 25 years of experience in municipal law. The increase in compensation recognizes the extent of his current representation on behalf of the City and will allow Bobko Law to continue to provide ongoing services to the City Attorney’s Office.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are budgeted and available in the following accounts for the current year fiscal year and funding for subsequent fiscal years will be included in the proposed budgets for City Council consideration.
Agreements and Amendment for Legal Services
July 1, 2025
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Graves & King LLP
Fiscal
Year
Accounting
Unit-Account #
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit,
Account Description
Amount
FY 25-26 08009051-64050 Liability and
Property Ins
Fund
Liability & Property Ins
Fund, Losses Paid
$167,000
FY 26-27 08009051-64050 Liability and
Property Ins
Fund
Liability & Property Ins
Fund, Losses Paid
$167,000
FY 27-28 08009051-64050 Liability and
Property Ins
Fund
Liability & Property Ins
Fund, Losses Paid
$166,000
TOTAL $500,000
Jones Mayer
Fiscal
Year
Accounting
Unit-Account #
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit,
Account Description
Amount
FY 25-26 08009051-64050 Liability and
Property Ins
Fund
Liability & Property Ins
Fund, Losses Paid
$167,000
FY 26-27 08009051-64050 Liability and
Property Ins
Fund
Liability & Property Ins
Fund, Losses Paid
$167,000
FY 27-28 08009051-64050 Liability and
Property Ins
Fund
Liability & Property Ins
Fund, Losses Paid
$166,000
TOTAL $500,000
Bobko Law APC
Fiscal
Year
Accounting
Unit-Account #
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit,
Account Description
Amount
FY 24-25 01105015-62300 General Fund General Non-
Departmental -
Contract Services
Professional
$150,000
FY 25-26 01105015-62300 General Fund General Non-
Departmental -
Contract Services
Professional
$175,000
Agreements and Amendment for Legal Services
July 1, 2025
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3 3
FY 26-27 01105015-62300 General Fund General Non-
Departmental -
Contract Services
Professional
$175,000
TOTAL $500,000
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Legal Services Agreement with Graves & King LLP
2. Legal Services Agreement with Jones Mayer
3. First Amendment to Legal Services Agreement with Bobko Law APC Submitted By: Sonia Carvalho, City Attorney
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager