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Legal Services Analysis and Report City of San Leandro February 2013 Municipal Resource Group 27 IV. CONTRACT AND IN‐HOUSE LEGAL SERVICES: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Opinions may vary with regard to the advantages and disadvantages of contract City Attorney services and in‐house City Attorney services. Some that have been cited include: Contract City Attorney Advantages:  Law firms have a larger pool of attorneys and access to specialized legal expertise.  Costs are controllable to the extent that services may be requested or not requested.  Law firms may be able to access more specialized training than in‐house attorneys.  If a designated City Attorney is not available, a law firm may be able to substitute with another qualified attorney.  Law firms can change personnel upon request by the City.  The City has no responsibility for human resource and payroll functions.  Law firms have immediate access to additional staff resources when a crisis occurs.  The City incurs no “legacy” costs such as Other Post Retirement Benefits (”OPEB”).  Ease of terminating levels of service without severance payment obligations or layoffs.  Overall costs may be lower than in‐house attorneys. Disadvantages:  Attorneys are not always available in person or on‐site.  Attorneys may not be readily available to participate in early “drop‐in” discussions regarding a matter that may later become a legal matter.  The direct cost per hour may be higher than in‐house attorneys.  The City Attorney may not be available to participate fully as a member of an executive team.  Law firm determines attorneys assigned to assist the designated City Attorney.  The City Attorney is accountable to the law firm and the City.