City Attorney’s Office
www.santa-ana.org/ca
Item # 17
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
December 2, 2025
TOPIC: Agreements for Legal Services
AGENDA TITLE
Agreements for Legal Counsel Services with Richards Watson & Gerson APC and Goldfarb & Lipman LLP (General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a legal services agreement with the law firm of Richards Watson & Gershon APC ("RWG") for legal services for municipal advisory and litigation services including, but not limited to, elections work for the period of December 2, 2025 until December 1, 2028 with an option to extend for up to one year, in an amount not to exceed $350,000 (Agreement No. A-2025- XXX).
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a legal services agreement with the law firm of Goldfarb & Lipman LLP for municipal advisory and litigation services, including but not limited to, defending the City in litigation challenging the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, administrative procedures, housing, affordable housing, fair housing, rent stabilization, land use, and real property issues for the period of December 2, 2025 to December 1, 2028, with an option to extend for up to one year, in an amount not to exceed $400,000 (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
Agreements for Legal Services
December 2, 2025
5 4
5 5
Richards Watson & Gershon APC
RWG has provided general advice and legal review to the City on a case-by-case basis when matters arise in relation to litigation, election issues, or personnel matters requiring immediate attention. RWG recently concluded representation of the City in a federal civil rights lawsuit and the City is processing the remaining invoices. The City wants to continue to have RWG available to provide litigation and general advice services as needed.
Goldfarb & Lipman LLP
On November 21, 2023, the City entered into a three (3) year agreement with Goldfarb Lipman LLP to provide legal services for municipal advisory and litigation services including defending the City in litigation involving challenges to the City’s Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. Since 2023, an increase in litigation and writ actions, stemming from the Ordinance, required the City to re-evaluate its current agreement to allow and provide continued and uninterrupted legal defense to the City. Goldfarb Lipman LLP, with its vast experience and success provided by this firm, will continue to focus on serving public entities with a positive community impact through affordable housing and community economic development.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Richards Watson & Gershon APC
Specialized legal services during the remainder of the term for this Agreement, fiscal year 2025-26, will be paid out of the General Non-Departmental Contractual Services (Account No. 01105015-62300) funds. Funding is available in the current FY 2025-26 budget and funding for subsequent fiscal years will be included in the proposed budgets for City Council consideration.
Fiscal Year Accounting Unit-
Account #
Account
Description
Amount
FY 2025-26 01105015-62300 General Non-
Departmental
Contractual
Services Fund
$250,000
FY 2026-27 01105015-62300 General Non-
Departmental
Contractual
Services Fund
$50,000
Agreements for Legal Services
December 2, 2025
5 4
5 5
FY 2027-28 01105015-62300 General Non-
Departmental
Contractual
Services Fund
$50,000
Total: $350,000
Agreements for Legal Services
December 2, 2025
5 4
5 5
Goldfarb & Lipman LLP
Funds are available in the Liability and Property Insurance Fund, Losses Paid (08009051-64050) to cover costs subject to litigation against the City, as approved by Adminsure for coverage under this fund. Funding is available in the current FY 2025-26 budget and funding for subsequent fiscal years will be included in the proposed budgets for City Council consideration
Fiscal Year Accounting Unit-
Account #
Account
Description
Amount
FY 2025-26 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$150,000
FY 2026-27 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$125,000
FY 2027-28 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$125,000
Total: $400,000
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Agreement for Legal Services with Richards Watson & Gershon APC
2. Agreement for Legal Services with Goldfarb & Lipman LLP Submitted By: Sonia Carvalho, City Attorney
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager