Title
[Contract Supplement] No. 2021-0290 for Legal Services for Susan Edmonson v. City of Sacramento Litigation
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FileID
File ID: 2026-00713
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Location
Location: Citywide
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Pass a Motion authorizing the City Attorney or designee to execute a supplemental contract with Duggan McHugh, for a new not-to-exceed amount of $560,000 for litigation assistance in the lawsuit Susan Edmonson v. City of Sacramento, et al.
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Contact
Contact: Andrea Velasquez, Supervising City Attorney, (916) 808-5346, avelasquez@cityofsacramento.org, Office of the City Attorney
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Presenter
Presenter: None
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Supplemental Agreement 2021-0290-03
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: Staff is seeking Council approval to supplement the current legal services agreement with Duggan McHugh, in an amount not to exceed $560,000, for expenses associated with the litigation entitled Susan Edmonson v. City of Sacramento, et al. This amendment is necessary because the City’s defense in this employment litigation, in which trial was recently completed with a defense verdict in the City’s favor, required legal services by Duggan McHugh.
The City Attorney’s Office maintains a pre-approved list of qualified outside counsel available to assist with litigation matters. Duggan McHugh was selected as the most qualified firm to strongly represent and defend the City’s interest in this lawsuit.
It is recommended that the Council authorize the City Attorney amend the contract for legal services with Duggan McHugh, for a new amount not to exceed $560,000 to cover all costs through the conclusion of trial.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: This funding is required to secure representation and defense of the City in this litigation.
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: Contracting for outside legal services is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment and is not a project subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (b) (5).
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Sustainability
Sustainability: Not applicable.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Plaintiff Susan Edmonson, a former EEO Specialist for the City, filed a lawsuit against the City and individual defendant Shelley Banks-Robinson. The first amended complaint includes four (4) causes of action: FEHA race discrimination, FEHA race harassment, FEHA retaliation, and Labor Code Whistleblower retaliation. The City was represented by OLC Duggan McHugh. Trial concluded with a full defense verdict on February 24, 2026.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: There will be no impact to the City’s General Fund. The City’s defense is being paid out of the Risk Fund.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Duggan McHugh is an LBE.
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