12-20-2011 - Professional Services Rate Adjustments - Item 9 Attach 3 (2).xlsLEGAL SERVICES COSTS
Survey of Area Labor Market Cities
AS OF 12/13/11
GENERAL LEGAL SERVICES
Retainer
Senior Partner
Partner
Senior Associates
Associates
Law Clerk / Paralegal
SPECIAL SERVICES (LITIGATION)
Retainer
Senior Partner
Partner
Senior Associates
Associates
Law Clerk / Paralegal
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
City of West Covina:
City of Fullerton:
City of Monterey Park:
City of Ontario:
City of Pomona:
City of Whittier:
City of Alhambra:
City of Baldwin Park:
CITIES WITH IN-HOUSE CITY ATTORNEYS:
City of Burbank
City of Downey
City of El Monte
City of Pasadena
Current West Covina
6500
n/a
150
140
135
90
n/a
n/a
165
155
145
90
$6,500 per month retainer currently (50 hours x $130 per hour), then hourly rates vary based on which legal team member is assigned.
No retainer, flat hourly fee for all staff (including Agency and Special Services)
$15,000 per month flat fee for all general municipal services. If the hourly rates continue over 85 hours/month over a six month period, retainer to increase at a rate of $200/hour.
Special Services vary between $210 and $290/hour.
No retainer, flat hourly fee for all attorneys in all areas, with an annual cap of $1,400,000 for general services. Cap does not apply to Extraordinary Services such as: eminent domain,
complex personnel litigation, complex tort litigation, elective litigation at City Council's request, etc. Contract also has automatic COLA.
City is billed for the first 260 hours a month at $138.60/hour for all attorneys ($36,036/month). After 260 hours, all attorneys bill at $149.00/hour. Law Clerks are at 50% of attorney
fees.
Flat fee of $175.00/hour for General Law and $225.00 - $475.00 for RDA/Special Counsel.
The Following are Rates from a 2009 Survey. These cities have been non-responsive on their current rates.
No retainer, hourly rates vary based on which legal team member is assigned
No retainer, flat hourly fee for all attorneys
Proposed West Covina
8000
n/a
185
175
165
100
n/a
n/a
195
185
175
100
Fullerton
n/a
178
178
178
178
178
n/a
178
178
178
178
178
Monterey Park
15000
n/a
$210-$290
$210-$291
$210-$292
$210-$293
N/A
Ontario
203
203
203
203
125
n/a
203
203
203
203
125
Pomona
See Notes Below
Whittier
175
175
175
175
100
n/a
$225-$475
180
Alhambra (2009)
n/a
$275.00 to $325.00
$190.00 to $255.00
$125.00 to $135.00
n/a
$275.00 to $325.00
$190.00 to $255.00
$125.00 to $135.00
Baldwin Park (2009)
n/a
175
175
175
175
110
n/a
200
200
200
200
110
GENERAL CITY LEGAL SERVICES
Retainer (50 hours / month)
Senior Partner
Partner
Senior Associates
Associates
Law Clerk / Paralegal
SPECIAL SERVICES (LITIGATION & Community/Redevelopment)
Senior Partner
Partner
Senior Associates
Associates
Law Clerk / Paralegal
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
____ hours per mo.
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Per hour
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