Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Agreement for City Attorney Legal Services.
End
From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Robert Schultz, Special Legal Counsel
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Robert Schultz, Special Legal Counsel
____________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Authorize the Mayor to execute the Legal Services Agreement between the City of Westminster and Jones Mayer.
end
BACKGROUND
The City Council is the appointing authority for the City Attorney, who serves as the legal advisor to the City Council, City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Clerk, and Department Directors. The general legal responsibilities of the city attorney are to: 1) provide legal assistance necessary for formulation and implementation of legislative policies and projects; 2) represent the city's interest, as determined by the City Council, in litigation, administrative hearings, negotiations and similar proceedings; 3) prepare ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other legal documents to best reflect and implement the purposes for which they are prepared; and 4) keep the City Council and staff apprised of court rulings and legislation affecting the legal interest of the City.
Of note, the City Attorney does not represent individual City Council Members but the City Council as a whole.
The City Council issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for City Attorney Services and received seven (7) proposals. After reviewing all proposals in a Closed Session Meeting on September 17, 2025, the City Council decided to interview four (4) proposers. All four proposers were interviewed in a Closed Session Meeting on October 30, 2026. Based on the interviews, the City Council proposed selecting Jones Mayer as the Firm to provide Legal Services for the City, with Scott Porter as the designated City Attorney. The City Council directed Special Legal Counsel, Robert Schultz, to negotiate an Agreement for Legal Services with Jones Mayer. Subsequent Closed Session Meetings were held on December 10 and 18, 2025, and January 14, 2026, to obtain further direction from the City Council on contractual terms.
Attachment "A" is the proposed agreement with Jones Mayer. Several important elements included in the agreement are:
Appointment. The appointment of Scott Porter as City Attorney cannot be changed by the Law Firm without the express approval of the City.
Personnel. The City can require the reassignment of any Jones Mayer personnel.
Office Hours. City Attorney shall maintain regular office hours at City Hall two to three full days per week.
Quarterly Reports. Submit quarterly reports highlighting the status of major legal work completed or in progress, the time spent on significant matters, and a summary of services rendered, updates on risk management and compliance issues, and any recommendations for City action or policy changes.
Compensation. The hourly rates for legal services provided by Attorneys are $275.00 per hour, and for Paralegals/Law Clerks, $175.00 per hour.
Credit. The City will receive a credit of $6,250.00 per month from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2029 (4 years) to be applied toward legal services rendered for the prior month. Total savings are $300,000.
Travel Costs. Jones Mayer will not charge the City for any travel time or travel costs to and from the City.
FISCAL IMPACT
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget includes sufficient funds to pay for the City's legal services. The hourly rates charged by Jones Mayer are detailed in the attached agreement in Exhibit "B.”
LEGAL REVIEW
Special Legal Counsel has reviewed the agreement as to form.
CONCLUSION
Approve and execute the Legal Services agreement with Jones Mayer.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Legal Services Agreement
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Robert Schultz, Special Legal Counsel
Christine Cordon, City Manager