Human Resources
www.santa-ana.org/HR
Item # 13
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
June 16, 2026
TOPIC: Risk Management Legal Services Agreements
AGENDA TITLE
Approve Legal Services Agreements with (1) Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, APLC; (2) Carpenter, Rothans & Dumont, LLP; (3) Everett Dorey, LLP; (4) Hanson Bridgett, LLP; and (5) O’Hagan Meyer LLP (General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute legal service agreements for a maximum amount not to exceed $4,050,000 with the following (Core Agreement No. A-2026-XXX):
1. Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud, & Romo, APLC, for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, in the amount of $500,000;
2. Carpenter, Rothans & Dumont, LLP for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029 in the amount of $1,500,000;
3. Everett Dorey, LLP for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029 in the amount of $1,000,000;
4. Hanson Bridgett, LLP for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028 in the amount of $300,000; and
5. O’Hagan Meyer LLP for the period of June 16, 2026 through June 30, 2029 in the amount of $750,000.
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
In an effort to increase efficiency and streamline approvals for contract services related to ongoing legal services, Risk Management is submitting this omnibus staff report for approval of five (5) legal services agreements. Each agreement supports ongoing operations for various issues including labor and employment law, police litigation defense, and general liability. The agreements are for services with the following law firms and in the amounts noted below:
Risk Management Legal Services Agreements
June 16, 2026
5 8
1 2
(1) Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, APLC (“AALRR”). The legal services agreement with AALRR is set at a not-to-exceed amount of $500,000 for the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, with an option to extend the agreement for up to an additional one-year, for legal services in the area of employment law. In 2018, the City Attorney's Office selected AALRR to represent the City due to its decades of experience in representing public entity clients in all aspects of labor and employment matters. The new agreement will allow AALRR to continue to provide ongoing services to the City Attorney's Office, as necessary.
(2) Carpenter, Rothans & Dumont, LLP (“CRD”). The legal services agreement with CRD is set at a not-to-exceed amount of $1,500,000 for the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, with an option to extend the agreement for up to an additional one-year, for legal services in the area of police litigation defense and general liability. Since 2006, CRD has provided legal services to the City, specializing primarily in police litigation defense services in both federal and state court with an emphasis on civil rights matters involving public safety employees. CRD has also represented the City in complex dangerous condition of public property cases. The new agreement will allow CRD to continue to provide ongoing services to the City Attorney's Office, as necessary. (3) Everett Dorey, LLP. The legal services agreement with Everett Dorey, LLP is set at a not-to-exceed amount of $1,000,000 for the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, with an option to extend the agreement for up to an additional one-year, for legal services related to labor and employment. Everett Dorey is a full service civil litigation firm that has provided legal services to the City since 2022. Everett Dorey is a California based-law firm that has over 50 attorneys who have successfully defended the City and other public entities, including the City of Costa Mesa, City of Orange, City of Los Angeles, and the City of Buena Park, among others. The firm’s expertise includes cases ranging from sober living issues, labor and employment, personal injury and wrongful death, environmental issues, mass tort, and discrimination cases. The new agreement will allow Everett Dorey LLP to continue to provide ongoing services to the City Attorney's Office, as necessary.
(4) Hanson Bridgett, LLP. The legal services agreement with Hanson Bridgett, LLP is set at a not-to-exceed amount of $300,000 for the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, with an option to extend the agreement for up to an additional one-year, for labor and employment legal services. Hanson Bridgett, LLP has vast expertise, resources, and a staff of over 200 attorneys across the State and legal network/alliance memberships, both national and international, to meet the City’s goals. In addition to being well-versed in all stages of the litigation process, Hanson Bridgett’s expertise includes municipal law, labor and employment, as well as conducting internal investigations. The firm has extensive experience representing public agencies, including the City of Beverly Hills Police and Fire Departments, City of Anaheim, and City of Alhambra Police Department, Risk Management Legal Services Agreements
June 16, 2026
5 8
1 2
among others. The new agreement will allow Hanson Bridgett LLP to continue to provide ongoing services to the City Attorney's Office, as necessary. (5) O’Hagan Meyer LLP. The legal services agreement with O’Hagan Meyer LLP is set at a not-to-exceed amount of $750,000 for the term of June 16, 2026 through June 30, 2029, with an option to extend the agreement for up to an additional one-year, for legal services related to specialized labor and employment cases. O’Hagan Meyer LLP is a national law firm based in Chicago but with offices throughout the United States including locations in Newport Beach, Hermosa Beach, downtown Los Angeles, and Woodland Hills. O’Hagan Meyer specializes in all types of litigation. The firm’s labor and employment attorneys routinely defend employers against claims, including matters in both federal and state courts throughout the nation. O’Hagan Meyer has been representing the City since 2023 in ongoing employment litigation cases in Orange County Superior Court. The new agreement will allow O’Hagan Meyer to continue to provide ongoing services to the City Attorney's Office, as necessary.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed each of the agreements and concurs with the staff recommendation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds, as detailed below, are available in the budgeted amounts for FY 2025-2026 and 2026-27, and will be budgeted in future fiscal years as follows, subject to City Council approval:
Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, APLC
Fiscal Year Accounting Unit-
Account #
Account
Description
Amount
FY 2026-27 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$200,000
FY 2027-28 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$200,000
FY 2028-29 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$100,000
Total: $500,000
Risk Management Legal Services Agreements
June 16, 2026
5 8
1 2
Carpenter, Rothans & Dumont, LLP
Fiscal Year Accounting Unit-
Account #
Account
Description
Amount
FY 2026-27 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$500,000
FY 2027-28 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$500,000
FY 2028-29 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$500,000
Total: $1,500,000
Everett Dorey, LLP
Fiscal Year Accounting Unit-
Account #
Account
Description
Amount
FY 2026-27 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$700,000
FY 2027-28 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$250,000
FY 2028-29 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$50,000
Total: $1,000,000
Hanson Bridgett, LLP
Fiscal Year Accounting Unit-
Account #
Account
Description
Amount
FY 2026-27 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$200,000
FY 2027-28 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$100,000
Total: $300,000
Risk Management Legal Services Agreements
June 16, 2026
5 8
1 2
O’Hagan Meyer
Fiscal Year Accounting Unit-
Account #
Account
Description
Amount
FY 2025-26 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$80,000
FY 2026-27 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$550,000
FY 2027-28 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$75,000
FY 2028-29 08009051-64050 Liability & Property
Ins. Fund, Losses
Paid
$45,000
Total: $750,000
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Legal Services Agreement with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, APLC
2. Legal Services Agreement with Carpenter, Rothans & Dumont, LLP
3. Legal Services Agreement with Everett Dorey, LLP
4. Legal Services Agreement with Hanson Bridgett, LLP
5. Legal Services Agreement with O’Hagan Meyer LLP
Submitted By: Lori Schnaider, Executive Director of Human Resources Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager