DATE: December 9, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Hollis Magill, Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT: First Amendment to Agreement No. 23-660 with Porter Scott, APC
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a First Amendment to Agreement No. 23-660 with Porter Scott, APC to provide for an increase in hourly billing rates for legal services with no change to the contract maximum of $7,500,000, effective December 9, 2025, and extending the term to December 11, 2028.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action, which will provide for an increase of $25 per hour in hourly billing rates for legal services in order to remain competitive and to attract top talent to defend the County’s litigated liability cases. The contract term will also be extended to December 11, 2028. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If your Board does not approve the recommended action, Porter Scott’s capacity to defend the County may be reduced.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will increase the hourly rate by $25 as follows:
• Attorney (Partner) from $250 per hour to $275 per hour,
• Attorney (Associate) from $225 per hour to $250 per hour, and
• Paralegal from $125 per hour to $150 per hour.
The costs associated with the attorney services are part of the Risk Management Internal Service Fund (ISF), Org 8925, General Liability and Medical Malpractice rates which are determined actuarily. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues for the Amendment are included in the Risk Management Org 8925 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and will be requested for future budgets for the duration of the term.
DISCUSSION:
The County entered into Legal Services Agreement No. 23-660 with Porter Scott, APC, on December 12, 2023, to provide specialized legal services to defend the County in general liability, auto liability, employment law, and medical malpractice cases. The Agreement established hourly billing rates for legal professionals, including partners, associate attorneys and paralegals.
Due to changes in market conditions and the desire to retain the best legal talent to defend the County’s cases, Porter Scott, APC, has requested an increase of $25 per hour to its billing rates. The proposed Amendment reflects a reasonable increase that remains competitive and within industry standards for comparable legal services.
Risk Management has reviewed the proposed rate adjustments and determined that continued engagement of Porter Scott, APC, remains in the County’s best interest, given their expertise, performance, and familiarity with County liability matters.
All other terms and conditions of the Agreement remain unchanged.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #33, December 12, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment No.1 to Agreement with Porter Scott, APC
CAO ANALYST:
Sevag Tateosian