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File Number: 25-150 <br />Staff recommends that the City Council approve by resolution the legal services agreement <br />between the City of San Leandro and Stream, Kim, Hicks, Wrage & Alfaro, PC for legal services <br />related to tort litigation matters. <br />BACKGROUND <br />The legal services agreement provides that upon the City of San Leandro’s request, counsel shall <br />represent and advise City staff on claims and tort litigation. <br />Joanne Tran is a shareholder at Stream, Kim, Hicks, Wrage & Alfaro, PC specializing in public <br />entity defense. Ms. Tran will serve as lead counsel and work with the City Attorney and City staff <br />on tort litigation defense. <br />Ms. Tran specializes in public entity defense including claims involving police liability, personal <br />injury, dangerous conditions of public property, and employment matters. She regularly advises <br />and represents clients in all aspects of litigation from the initial investigation of claims through law <br />and motion, discovery, summary judgment, alternative dispute resolution, trials and appeals in <br />both Federal and State court. <br />The term of this agreement commenced from December 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. <br />Services will be provided at hourly rates of $260 for Senior Partner and $95 for Paralegal, in an <br />amount not to exceed $400,000. <br />Analysis <br />The City is periodically susceptible to claims and legal complaints alleging a variety of actions <br />including excessive force claims, property damage, and dangerous conditions of public property, <br />among others. Cost effective and expert tort litigation counsel is necessary to defend the City in <br />these claims and lawsuits, which can involve significant financial exposure. <br />Staff proposes a contract for Stream, Kim, Hicks, Wrage & Alfaro, PC for a not to exceed limit of <br />$400,000. This authority would allow the City Manager and the Risk Management division to <br />adjust contractual spending limits to an uncertain risk landscape during this next budget cycle. <br />Legal Analysis <br />City Attorney approved as to form this legal services agreement. <br />Financial Impacts <br />The Self-Insurance budget account 689-19-004-5110 for legal services has enough funds <br />available. <br />1.This Council action will not impact fund balance because there are funds available in the <br />legal budget FY2024-2025 adopted budget. <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />Attachment A: Resolution LSA Stream, Kim, Hicks, Wrage & Alfaro, PC <br />Attachment B: Scope of Work for LSA <br />Attachment C: LSA Compensation Schedule <br />Page 2 City of San Leandro Printed on 9/4/2025