City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto requested that the City Council increase Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP's contract from $900,000 to $5.9 million to continue defending Los Angeles in a lawsuit brought by the Alliance for L.A. Human Rights. Gibson Dunn has been defending the city since mid-May against claims tied to a settlement requiring homeless housing construction and encampment removal. The firm billed millions rapidly, reaching $1.8 million for about two weeks and $3.2 million by Aug. 8. Much of the work centered on preparation for and participation in a seven-day federal evidentiary hearing about potentially turning control of homeless programs to a third party.
The high-powered law firm that racked up big bills working to keep the city of Los Angeles from losing control over its homeless programs is now looking to increase its contract by $5 million. City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto has asked the City Council to increase the city's contract with Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP to $5.9 million, up from the $900,000 approved three months ago, according to a confidential memo she sent to council members.
Gibson Dunn has been defending the city since mid-May in a lawsuit filed by the nonprofit Alliance for L.A. Human Rights, which resulted in a settlement agreement requiring the construction of new homeless housing and the removal of street encampments. The L.A. Alliance alleges that the city has repeatedly violated the agreement. The Times reported last month that Gibson Dunn billed the city $1.8 million for about two weeks of work, with 15 attorneys charging $1,295 per hour and others charging lower amounts.
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