TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: JAMIE EARL, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
DATE: JUNE 9, 2026
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE AGREEMENT WITH LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE TO INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR SPECIAL LEGAL SERVICES (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
Since 1998, the City of Claremont has utilized Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) for special legal services pertaining to employment relations matters.
An agreement was entered into on July 1, 2025 for $35,000 and was amended in September 2025 under the City Manager’s authority to include an additional $15,000 in compensation. On September 23, 2025, the City Council authorized an amendment to the agreement to increase compensation by $50,000. On November 25, 2025, the City Council authorized another amendment to the agreement to increase compensation by $150,000.
Due to ongoing employment relations matters requiring substantial legal consultation, additional compensation is necessary. Staff recommends increasing compensation by $100,000, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $350,000. Additionally, staff recommends appropriating $100,000 from the unassigned General Fund balance to fully fund the agreement.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council:
A. Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for special legal services pertaining to employment relations matters, increasing compensation by $100,000 for a not-to-exceed amount of $350,000; and
B. Appropriate $100,000 from the unassigned General Fund balance to fully fund the agreement.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The City’s 2025-26 budget included funding in the Human Resources Division for legal services with LCW in the amount of $35,000. Under City Manager authority and by City Council action, the current agreement with LCW has been amended to include $250,000 in compensation. In anticipation of continuing employment relations matters, staff recommends amending the agreement to increase compensation by $100,000, for a total agreement amount of $350,000.
Staff recommends the City Council appropriate $100,000 from the unassigned General Fund balance to fully fund the agreement. The increased appropriation will cover the amount needed for the total contract cost.
The staff cost to prepare this report is estimated at $565 and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
The City of Claremont has used the law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to provide legal services related to employment relations for many years. LCW is one of the largest law firms in California specializing in employment relations law representing public sector agencies. The scope of work that LCW provides the City with includes consulting, representational legal services pertaining to employment relations matters, including representation in labor negotiations, advising on employee investigations, and in administrative and court proceedings, as requested by the City or as otherwise required by law.
The City’s 2025-26 budget included funding in the Human Resources Division of the Administrative Services Department for legal services with LCW in the amount of $35,000. The City regularly budgets these services to assist with employment relations matters that require additional legal support. The current agreement was amended to increase compensation by $15,000 under the City Manager’s authority and again by the City Council on September 23, 2025 to increase compensation by $50,000 and again on November 25, 2025 to increase compensation by $150,000, bringing the total agreement amount to $250,000.
In anticipation of continued employment relations matters that require the assistance of LCW, staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing agreement to increase compensation by $100,000, bringing the total agreement amount to $250,000. Additionally, staff recommends appropriating $100,000 from the unassigned General Fund balance to fund the agreement and increase the 2025-26 budget to the amended total contract amount.
LEGAL REVIEW
The amendment to the agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by:
Jamie Earl
Assistant City Manager