REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 10, 2026
FROM
LAURA FEINGOLD, County Counsel
SUBJECT
Title
Agreement with Miller Barondess, LLP for Specialized Legal Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Agreement with Miller Barondess, LLP for specialized legal services to continue legal representation of the County defending litigation in federal court titled Gary G., et. al. v. Gavin Newsom, et al., in an estimated amount of $1,450,000, for the period of March 10, 2026 until terminated by either party, but no later than March 10, 2031 (Four votes required).
2. Authorize the County Counsel or Chief Assistant County Counsel to amend Exhibit A to the agreement referenced in Recommendation No. 1, to change or add attorneys, paralegals, or other staff as needed, and to adjust hourly rates no more than 2% per fiscal year, up to a total of 10% for the duration of the agreement.
3. Direct County Counsel to transmit all subsequent amendments to Exhibit A to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Laura Feingold, County Counsel, 387-5449)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Legal services for this Agreement will be paid at hourly rates of $625 for attorneys and $225 for paralegals. Expenses will be paid at actual cost as provided. Total cost of this Agreement is not anticipated to exceed $700,000 for the remainder of 2025-26 and $750,000 for 2026-27. Although litigation is by its nature uncertain, it is anticipated that this case will resolve within 2027-28. The Agreement will end no later than March 10, 2031.
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Fund (Net County Cost). Sufficient appropriation has been included in the 2025-26 HS Administrative Claim Budget (5011001000) and will be inc...
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