City Attorney’s Office
www.santa-ana.org/departments/city-attorneys-office/
Item # 9
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
February 17, 2026
TOPIC: Agreement for Legal Services
AGENDA TITLE
Agreement for Legal Counsel Services with Horvitz & Levy LLP (General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a legal services agreement with the law firm of Horvitz & Levy LLP for legal services for appellate and litigation legal services for the period of February 17, 2026 until February 16, 2028, with an option to extend for up to one year, in an amount not to exceed $275,000 (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
Horvitz & Levy LLP was founded in 1957. For 60 years, the law firm has specialized in appellate law. The firm is excellence-driven to deliver success at the highest level. It has assisted clients in complex, high-stakes cases across California and the Ninth Circuit, with more than 1,500 appeals litigated and over 150 appearances before the California Supreme Court since 2000.
The City seeks to retain Horvitz & Levy LLP because of the excellent work attorney, Justin Sarno, has provided to the City. Mr. Sarno is a certified appellate specialist by the California State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization. Roughly 1% of California attorneys hold this certification in appellate law. Before joining Horvitz & Levy and while working for a different law firm, Mr. Sarno assisted the City in various litigation matters, proving his superior skills in providing legal services to the residents of Santa Ana. In particular, he successfully defended the City of Santa Ana both at the trial court level and at the appellate level in a high profile case. That case resulted in a published opinion in favor of the City, Cynthia Huerta, et al. v. City of Santa Ana, 39 Cal.App. 5th 41, which concerned whether a particular crosswalk constituted a dangerous condition. The lawsuit arose from a tragic accident on Halloween night in 2014 when a speeding motorist struck and killed three teenagers.
Agreement for Legal Services
February 17, 2026
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Mr. Sarno has briefed cases before the United States Supreme Court and argued appeals before the California Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit, and all districts within the California Courts of Appeal. He has represented government entities across Southern California, including the cities of Pasadena, Santa Ana, Manhattan Beach, Arcadia, Anaheim, Simi Valley, Culver City, Upland, and the County of Los Angeles. He has litigated cases in state and federal court on behalf of police departments, school districts, community colleges, chiefs of police, and public employees in cases related to constitutional civil rights, anti-SLAPP, wrongful death, labor and employment (Title VII, Title IX, and FEHA), class action, ADA compliance, administrative mandamus, government contracts and regulations, and premises liability.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City’s joint powers authority, Independent Cities Risk Management Authority (ICRMA), will apply the hourly rate of $350 towards fulfillment of the City’s self-insured retention. 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 25- 26 budget and funding for subsequent fiscal year 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
$125,000
FY 2026-27 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$125,000
FY 2027-28 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$25,000
Total: $275,000
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Legal Services Agreement with Horvitz & Levy LLP
Submitted By: Sonia Carvalho, City Attorney
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager