8Q
Date: September 15, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Patrick Sullivan, City Attorney
By: Jessica Corona, Law Office Administrator | [email protected] Subject: City Attorney – Approve Second Amendment to Fee Agreement for Legal Services.
Expenditure: $141,000 (Non-General Fund).
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the City Attorney that City Council approve a second amendment to the fee agreement with law firm Liebert Cassidy Whitmore of Los Angeles (C2023-070), in the amount of $141,000, for a new total not-to-exceed amount of $780,000, to provide the City with legal services pertaining to civil litigation matter Martin Hutto vs. City of Torrance.
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 Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, an independent counsel with special expertise, to handle civil litigation matter Martin Hutto vs. City of Torrance.
On April 26, 2023, the City entered into a fee agreement with the law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (C2023-070), in the amount of $249,000, to provide the City with consulting, representational and legal services pertaining to civil litigation matter Martin Hutto vs. City of Torrance.
On November 1, 2024, the City entered into a first amendment to increase the fee agreement to an amount not-to-exceed $639,000.
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 second amendment to the fee agreement with law firm Liebert Cassidy Whitmore of Los Angeles (C2023-070), in the amount of $141,000, for a new total not-to-exceed amount of $780,000, to provide the City with legal services pertaining to civil litigation matter Martin Hutto vs. City of Torrance.
ATTACHMENT
1. Second Amendment to Fee Agreement C2023-070
1 SECOND AMENDMENT TO FEE AGREEMENT FOR
SPECIAL SERVICES (C2023-070)
This Second Amendment to Fee Agreement for special services is made and entered into as of July 1, 2026, by and between the CITY OF TORRANCE, a municipal corporation (“CITY”), and LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE, a professional corporation (“ATTORNEY”).
RECITALS:
A. CITY and ATTORNEY entered into a Fee Agreement for Special Services (the “Fee Agreement”) C2023-070 on April 26, 2023, to provide the City with consulting, representational and legal services pertaining to the Martin Hutto v.
City of Torrance lawsuit in the amount of $249,000.
B. On November 1, 2024, the CITY and ATTORNEY entered into a First Amendment to increase the Fee Agreement by $390,000 to an amount not-to- exceed $639,000.
C. The CITY is satisfied with the level of service provided by ATTORNEY.
D. Both parties wish to amend the agreement for an additional $141,000 for a new not-to-exceed sum of $780,000.
AGREEMENT:
1. The first paragraph of Section 3 of the Fee Agreement entitled Fees, Costs, Expenses, is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:
“3. Fees, Costs, Expenses
City agrees to pay Attorney the sums billed monthly for time spent by Attorney in providing the services, including reasonable travel time, not to exceed $780,000, unless mutually agreed upon by the parties.”
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
LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE
a professional corporation
By:________________________________
Melanie L. Chaney,
Managing Partner
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Rebecca Poirier, MMC
City Clerk
[Signature on Following Page]
ATTACHMENT 1
2 APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PATRICK Q. SULLIVAN
City Attorney
By: ______________________
Jocelyn N. Sarigumba
Deputy City Attorney
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