The Berkeley City Council voted unanimously Sept. 29, 2025, to terminate its agreement with the city's current outside legal counsel and to approve a letter of engagement with a different firm to provide municipal legal services effective at midnight.

City staff read the agenda item as Motion MDash88Dash25, which described terminating the agreement with "Hafeli, Steren, and Crist, PC," effective 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2025, and approving an engagement with "Rosati, Schultz, Droppick, and Amz Buechler, PC," effective 12:00 a.m. on Sept. 30, 2025.

Council members said the selection followed a structured request-for-proposals process that took roughly five months from issuance of the RFP to the vote. According to council remarks, the city received eight proposals, invited four firms for interviews, and then ranked the interviewees before selecting the recommended firm. City staff said references were checked and staff who would work regularly with the new firm participated in the interviews.

Lisa Hammame, introduced at the meeting as the firm's lead attorney, told the council, "I will be the lead attorney. I can't tell you how excited me and the firm are," and said she and another attorney from the firm, Matt Zaleski, will work on city matters. Van Vleck told the council that, conditional on approval, Hammame had provided a formal resignation from the city's Planning Commission.

Council member remarks emphasized both process and continuity. A council member noted the selected firm was among the more affordable proposals, saying it offered value in addition to quality. Several members thanked the outgoing firm for its service, naming John Starin and Dan Christ for particular past interactions.

Council member Patterson moved to approve Motion MDash88Dash25; council member Hennen seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous in favor: Mayor Dean, Mayor Pro Tem Gavin, Council members Baker, Black, Hennen, Patterson and Vilani all voted yes. The motion passed and the change in legal representation will take effect at the times stated in the engagement and termination language.

The meeting adjourned immediately after the vote.