REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 27, 2024
FROM
TOM BUNTON, County Counsel
VICTOR TORDESILLAS, Director, Department of Risk Management
SUBJECT
Title
Agreement with Reed Smith LLP for Specialized Legal Services
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Agreement with Reed Smith LLP for specialized legal services in connection with insurance recovery relating to six settlements in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000 for the retroactive contract period of October 5, 2023 through October 4, 2025 (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 legal staff, as needed.
(Presenter: Tom Bunton, County Counsel, 387-5455)
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COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The costs for the identified legal services are included in the Department of Risk Management (DRM) - General Liability Fund (7310004096). Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in DRM's 2023-24 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The recommended agreement will allow the County to continue to utilize Reed Smith LLP (Reed Smith) to represent the County in the litigation filed titled, San Bernardino County v. Everest National Insurance Company, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCV02336, for insurance recovery legal services to obtain insurance coverage in connection with settlements reached in multiple matters.
On October 5, 2021 (Item No. 28), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Agreement No. 21-753 with Reed Smith for these legal services in the amount of $1,250,000 for the term of Octo...
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