REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR CITY ATTORNEY
SERVICES
FOR THE
CITY OF MOORPARK
Proposal Submittals Due By:
May 1, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
City of Moorpark
City Manager’s Office
323 Science Drive
Moorpark, California 93021
Attn: Jonathan Royas, Assistant City Manager
(805) 517-6213
TABLE OF CONTENTS
City of Moorpark - RFP for City Attorney Services
1. Introduction and Overview
2. Background
3. Scope of Services
4. Proposal Contents and Submittal Requirements
5. Evaluation and Selection Process
6. Anticipated Schedule
7. Inquiries
8. Other Considerations and Reservations of Rights
Appendix A - Sample Agreement
Appendix B - Certification Statement
Appendix C - Disqualification Questionnaire
City of Moorpark | Page 2
City of Moorpark - RFP for City Attorney Services
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES
FOR THE CITY OF MOORPARK
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Moorpark ("City") is requesting proposals from qualified
attorneys or law firms to provide City Attorney Services. Proposals must be received by 3:00 p.m. on May 1,
2026, by the City Clerk's Office at: City of Moorpark, City Clerk's Office, 323 Science Drive, Moorpark, CA 93021,
or via cityclerk@moorparkca.gov. Submissions received after this deadline will not be considered. Fax
submittals will not be accepted.
The Technical Proposal and Cost Proposal must be submitted separately and clearly labeled. Electronic
submissions shall be provided as separate PDF documents. Questions regarding this RFP shall be directed in
writing to Jonathan Royas, Assistant City Manager, at jroyas@moorparkca.gov no later than April 20, 2026.
1. Introduction and Overview
The City of Moorpark is issuing this Request for Proposals ("RFP") to solicit proposals from qualified California
attorneys or law firms to provide comprehensive City Attorney Services. The selected City Attorney will serve at
the pleasure of the City Council and act as the City's chief legal advisor, working closely with the City Council,
City Manager, Assistant City Manager, department directors, commissions, committees, and staff.
The City seeks a responsive, practical, and solutions-oriented legal partner with demonstrated municipal law
experience in California and the capacity to provide both day-to-day advice and specialized support as needed.
The City values clear communication, sound judgment, timely turnaround, strong public meeting presence, and
a collaborative approach that supports effective local government operations.
This RFP is intended to identify a qualified provider for a broad range of legal services, while recognizing that the
City may continue to use or retain outside special counsel for certain matters where specialized expertise,
insurance panel counsel, or conflicts considerations make that approach appropriate.
2. Background
Moorpark is a general law city located in Ventura County, California and operates under the council-manager
form of government with a population of approximately 36,000. The City Council consists of five members and
appoints the City Attorney and City Manager. The City provides a full range of municipal services and works
closely with appointed bodies, including the Planning Commission and other boards, committees, and ad hoc
bodies established from time to time.
The City Attorney is expected to be an integral part of the City's leadership and management support structure.
In addition to serving as legal counsel to the City Council and staff, the City Attorney will be expected to provide
practical legal guidance that helps the City operate efficiently, maintain compliance, manage risk, and advance
City priorities.
The City desires to enter into an agreement for City Attorney Services beginning July 1, 2026, unless otherwise
adjusted by the City Council.
City of Moorpark | Page 3
3. Scope of Services
City of Moorpark - RFP for City Attorney Services
The following scope is intended to describe the general nature of services anticipated under this RFP. Proposers
may recommend refinements they believe would improve service delivery, provided any suggested
modifications are clearly identified.
3.1 General Legal Services
• Serve as chief legal advisor to the City Council, City Manager, Assistant City Manager, departments, officers,
commissions, committees, and staff on matters relating to City business.
• Provide timely oral and written legal advice, opinions, and interpretations of applicable laws, regulations,
ordinances, policies, and court decisions.
• Review, revise, and/or prepare ordinances, resolutions, agreements, contracts, memoranda, staff reports,
deeds, easements, notices, leases, and other legal documents.
• Advise the City regarding the Brown Act, Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, Government Code section
1090, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Elections Code, labor and employment law, due
process, risk management, and other municipal law requirements.
• Monitor significant legislative, regulatory, and case law developments affecting California municipalities and
advise the City regarding needed operational, policy, or procedural changes.
• Provide legal training to the City Council, commissions, and staff as requested.
3.2 Meeting Attendance, Availability, and Presence
• Attend all regular and special City Council meetings, including closed sessions, study sessions, and special
meetings as requested.
• Attend Planning Commission meetings and serve as legal counsel to the Planning Commission.
• Attend meetings of the Administration, Finance, and Public Safety Committee and other standing
committees, boards, commissions, or ad hoc bodies as requested.
• Participate in executive staff meetings, agenda review meetings, and other staff meetings as requested.
• Maintain bi-weekly in-office hours on Council and Planning Commission meeting days, or as otherwise
coordinated with the City Manager's Office.
• Remain readily accessible by telephone, e-mail, and virtual meeting, and be available for same-day or next-
day advice when circumstances reasonably require a prompt response.
3.3 Specialized Areas of Service Expected Within General Municipal Practice
• Advise on land use, planning, zoning, subdivisions, housing law, development agreements, easements,
rights-of-way, public improvements, and related real property matters.
• Provide legal support on personnel and labor matters, including investigations, discipline, grievances, labor
relations, and compliance with the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act.
• Advise on municipal finance issues, including taxes, fees, assessments, Proposition 218 matters, and
related public finance questions.
• Support code enforcement efforts, including administrative enforcement, nuisance abatement, and
prosecution of municipal code, misdemeanor, and infraction violations, as applicable.
• Provide election law advice and support to the City on ballot measures, election procedures, and related
matters.
City of Moorpark | Page 4
City of Moorpark - RFP for City Attorney Services
• Serve as legal counsel to the City's Successor Agency and other affiliated entities or bodies as directed by
the City.
3.4 Litigation, Claims, and Outside Counsel Coordination
• Advise the City regarding claims, disputes, and litigation strategy.
• Represent the City directly in matters within the agreed scope and qualifications of the selected proposer,
where appropriate.
• Coordinate with, supervise, and manage outside counsel retained by the City, where requested by the City.
• Provide periodic updates regarding material litigation and claim matters as requested by the City Council or
City Manager.
3.5 Potential Special Counsel / Carve-Out Matters
The City anticipates that certain matters may remain outside the base scope of services or may be assigned to
outside special counsel, including but not limited to:
• Litigation handled by pooled risk, self-insurance, or panel counsel;
• Bond counsel and specialized public finance matters;
• Specialized labor negotiations or labor litigation;
• Specialized CEQA, environmental, natural resources, stormwater, or regulatory matters;
• Water, wastewater, utility, or other highly specialized infrastructure law matters;
• Conflict counsel and any matter where the City determines outside special counsel is appropriate.
Nothing in this RFP obligates the City to assign all legal work to the selected proposer. The City reserves the right
to retain separate counsel for any matter in its sole discretion.
4. Proposal Contents and Submittal Requirements
Proposals shall be clear, concise, well organized, and tailored to this RFP. The Technical Proposal shall not
exceed 25 pages, excluding resumes, rate sheets, dividers, and required exhibits/forms. The City reserves the
right to request supplemental information from any proposer.
4.1 Submittal Format
• Technical Proposal and Cost Proposal must be submitted separately.
• Electronic submissions are preferred and shall be sent as separate PDF files to cityclerk@moorparkca.gov.
• Physical submissions, if provided, shall be clearly labeled "Technical Proposal - City Attorney Services" and
"Cost Proposal - City Attorney Services."
• Proposals must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. on May 1, 2026.
4.2 Technical Proposal Content
At a minimum, the Technical Proposal should include the following information in the order shown below:
Section
Required Content
A. Cover Letter
Signed by an authorized representative and summarizing
the proposer's interest, qualifications, availability, office
location, and overall approach.
B. Firm Information
Legal name, business form, headquarters address, local
office handling the work, staffing capacity,
City of Moorpark | Page 5
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
