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Stoel Rives LLP / Outside Counsel / Proposed Legal Services Agreement / Los Angeles Waterkeeper v. City of Los Angeles

Council File 26-1095

Under review — the City Attorney is seeking Council approval to hire outside counsel for a federal environmental lawsuit and a $75,000 budget transfer to cover legal costs. The Budget and Finance Committee is currently reviewing the contract before it moves to the full Council.

Introduced
2026-08-07
Last changed
2026-09-11
Status
open
Expires
2028-09-11
Committee
Budget and Finance Committee
Initiated by
City Attorney
References
City Attorney Report: R26-0463United States District Case: CV26-07417

Brief

The City Attorney is requesting a legal services agreement with outside counsel firm Stoel Rives LLP to represent Los Angeles in federal court case Los Angeles Waterkeeper v. City of Los Angeles (CV26-07417). The file was introduced by the City Attorney on August 7, 2026, and is currently pending in the Budget and Finance Committee, which scheduled it for consideration at its September 15, 2026 meeting.

Full summary

City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto is asking the City Council to approve a contract with Stoel Rives LLP to defend the city in Los Angeles Waterkeeper v. City of Los Angeles, a federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court (Case CV26-07417). The report does not describe the underlying claims in detail, but the case involves an environmental advocacy group suing the city, and the City Attorney's office has determined that outside counsel is needed to handle the litigation. Along with approving the contract, the City Attorney is requesting a $75,000 budget transfer from the Unappropriated Balance Outside Counsel line item — which also covers worker's compensation — into the City Attorney's own fund (Fund 100, Department 12, Account 009301) to pay for the legal services. The City Attorney or her designee would also be authorized to prepare any technical accounting instructions needed to complete the transfer, subject to approval by the Chief Administrative Officer. Because the matter involves potential litigation exposure, the City Attorney is also asking that it be heard in closed session under California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), which permits public agencies to meet privately to discuss active or anticipated litigation. That closed session would need to be scheduled before or alongside the formal committee and Council votes on the contract. The report was submitted on August 7, 2026, and referred to the Budget and Finance Committee five days later. The committee must review and recommend the contract and funding transfer before the full Council can vote. As of mid-August 2026, the file remains pending in committee. The point of contact for questions is Assistant City Attorney Gabriel Dermer.

Activity (3)

  • 2026-09-11 Budget and Finance Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 15, 2026.
  • 2026-08-12 City Attorney document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee.
  • 2026-08-07 Document submitted by City Attorney, dated August 7, 2026.

Documents (1)

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