City to Review Legal Bills as It Prepares City Attorney Contract
In preparing to seek bids on an upcoming contract for city attorney, the La Puente City Council has agreed to review three years worth of legal bills from its present attorneys.
Councilwoman Sally Holguin Fallon persuaded her colleagues this week to review the bills of the Los Angeles law firm Richards, Watson & Gershon, which has acted as the city’s attorney since 1991.
Holguin Fallon complained that the city’s legal bills were higher than similar municipalities.
Last year, the city paid $138,000 at a rate of $125 for the first 40 hours and $150 for each additional hour, said Carol Lynch, an attorney for the law firm. The rates are average for a municipal law firm, she said.
Mayor Edward Rodarte said the city would get a better rate by seeking bids.
Council members have met informally with attorneys from another Los Angeles law firm, Beltran, Leal & Medina, which serves neighboring Baldwin Park.
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