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Date: August 25, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Patrick Sullivan, City Attorney
By: Jessica Corona, Law Office Administrator
Subject: City Attorney – Approve First Amendment to Fee Agreement for Legal Services.
Expenditure: Not-to-Exceed $348,200 (Non-General Fund).
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the City Attorney that City Council approve a first amendment to the fee agreement with law firm Richards, Watson & Gershon of Los Angeles, CA, for a not-to-exceed amount of $348,200, for a new total not-to-exceed amount of $618,200, to provide the City with legal services pertaining to civil litigation matter Mark and Jennifer Kisiler vs. The People of the State of California, et al.
FUNDING
Funding is available in the Self-Insurance Fund’s fiscal year 2026-27 operating budget and is anticipated to be available in subsequent fiscal years.
DISCUSSION
The City Attorney hired the law firm of Richards, Watson & Gershon, an independent counsel with special expertise, to handle civil litigation matter Mark and Jennifer Kisiler vs. The People of the State of California, et al.
On December 9, 2024, the City of Torrance (City) entered into a fee agreement with the law firm of Richards, Watson & Gershon of Los Angeles, CA (C2025-017) in the amount of $270,000 to provide legal services relating to civil litigation matter Mark and Jennifer Kisiler vs. The People of the State of California, et al.
The City has been advised by counsel that additional funding is necessary for the completion of the civil litigation process. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Attorney that City Council approve a first amendment to the fee agreement with law firm Richards, Watson & Gershon of Los Angeles (C2025-017) in the amount of $348,200, for a new not-to-exceed amount of $618,200, to provide the City with legal services pertaining to civil litigation matter Mark and Jennifer Kisiler vs. The People of the State of California, et al.
The City Attorney recommends that City Council approve the first amendment with the law firm for a new not-to-exceed amount of $618,200.
ATTACHMENT
1. First Amendment to Fee Agreement C2025-017
1 FIRST AMENDMENT TO FEE AGREEMENT FOR
LEGAL SERVICES (C2025-017)
This First Amendment to Fee Agreement (C2025-017) for legal services is made and entered into as of June 1, 2026, by and between the CITY OF TORRANCE, a municipal corporation (“CITY”), and RICHARDS, WATSON & GERSHON, a professional corporation (“ATTORNEY”).
RECITALS :
A. CITY and ATTORNEY entered into a Fee Agreement (the “Agreement”) C2025- 017 on December 9, 2024, to provide the City with legal services pertaining to civil litigation matter Mark and Jennifer Kisiler vs. The People of the State of California, et al . in the amount of $270,000.
B. The CITY is satisfied with the level of service provided by ATTORNEY.
C. Both parties wish to amend the agreement for an additional $348,200 for a new not-to-exceed sum of $618,200.
AGREEMENT :
1. Paragraph 8 of Terms of Representation is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:
“ We also agree to a not-to-exceed billing amount of $618,200 for the time spent performing legal tasks associated with the defense of the City in this litigation.”
2. In all other respects, the Fee Agreement is ratified and reaffirmed and remains in full force and effect.
CITY OF TORRANCE,
a municipal corporation
_______________________________
Sharon Kalani, Mayor
RICHARDS, WATSON & GERSON
a professional corporation
By:________________________________
Michael F. Yoshiba
Shareholder
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Rebecca Poirier, MMC
City Clerk
[SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
ATTACHMENT 1
2 APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PATRICK Q. SULLIVAN
City Attorney
By: ______________________
Jeanne-Marie K. Litvin
Deputy City Attorney
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