TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Sheryl L. Bratton, County Counsel
REPORT BY: Jason M. Dooley, Chief Deputy County Counsel
SUBJECT: Approve and authorize the Chair to execute the legal services agreements for litigation defense with the seven selected firms.
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize seven (7) legal services agreements for general liability defense legal services with the following firms: Allen, Glaessner, Hazelwood, & Werth, LLP; Bertrand, Fox, Elliott, Osman + Wenzel; Hawkins Parnell & Young, LLP; Lozano Smith, LLP; McNamara, Ambacher, Wheeler, Hirsig & Gray, LLP; Porter Scott Attorneys; and Renne Public Law Group, with annual contract maximums ranging from $250,000 to $500,000, with terms from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029, with the possibility of a one-time two (2) year extension at the option of County Counsel. (Fiscal Impact: $3,250,000 Expense; Risk Management Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
The Risk Management program is responsible for the administration of the County's self-insured General Liability Program providing coverage for civil claims, including personal injury and property damage claims, to all County departments and agencies under the direction of the Board of Supervisors. From time to time, Risk Management retains outside defense firms to represent the County in tort claims and/or civil litigation. These law firms are assigned cases by the County based upon their ability and specific experience with public entity defense.
Currently, the County does not engage these firms directly. Instead, the County's third-party administrator, George Hills Company, sends letters of retention on the County's behalf and manages invoices. To align with best practices, beginning in 2023, County Counsel became involved in assigning cases to those firms already engaged through George Hills, as well as reviewing and approving all invoices. County Counsel is uniquely well-suited for this work, since attorneys are best able to re...
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