To: Board of Supervisors
From: Thomas L. Geiger, County Counsel
Report Title: Amendment to Contract with the Law Firm of Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Counsel, or designee, to execute on behalf of the County an amendment to a legal services contract with the law firm of Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP, effective August 1, 2025, to authorize the firm to provide additional legal services related to real property matters and increase the hourly rates paid under the contract.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The rates under this contract, effective August 1, 2025, will be: $385 per hour for partners; $350 per hour for associates; and $195 per hour for paralegals and law clerks.
BACKGROUND:
Under a contract dated December 1, 2020, Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP (the Firm) has represented the County in eminent domain and inverse condemnation cases as requested by County Counsel. The proposed amendment would (i) expand the scope of services to include legal services related to general real property matters, and (ii) increase the hourly rates paid by the County. The firm’s rates have remained unchanged since 2020, when the County entered into its legal services contract with the firm.
From time to time, County Counsel anticipates utilizing the Firm’s expertise in the areas of commercial landlord/tenant disputes and public/private partnerships, in addition to eminent domain and inverse condemnation actions.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The existing contract will remain unchanged.