Summary

Council approves zoo litigation contract

Los AngelesJun 30, 20261 min read

At a glance

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The Council approved up to $250,000 for a two-year legal services contract with Hogan Lovells US, LLP to handle litigation involving the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, including a bankruptcy case and a Superior Court case.

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City Council

Topics discussed

Budget & TaxPublic Safety

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What this means

The Council authorized outside legal help for the City in two pending cases involving the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. The contract can be for up to $250,000 over two years. The Council also directed staff to find funding for the contract and make any needed accounting changes.

Key decisions

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Authorized the City Attorney to enter into a contract with Hogan Lovells US, LLP for up to $250,000 over two years.
Directed the City Administrative Officer to identify funding and transfer it to Fund No. 100/12, Account No. 009301, Outside Counsel.
Authorized the City Attorney or designee to prepare Controller instructions for technical adjustments and authorized the Controller to implement them.
Adopted the item forthwith.

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Meeting information

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Special City Council Meeting #2

Jun 30, 2026, 8:15 PMCALLED BY THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT, SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING #2, Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 1:15 PMcompleted

Agenda

26-0958 COMMUNICATION FROM CITY ATTORNEY relative to a request for approval of legal services agreement with Hogan Lovells, US, LLP for the following matters: In re: Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association , United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District; Case No. 2:26-bk-16410-DS; and City of Los Angeles v. Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association ; Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 24STCV33753. Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE MAYOR’S APPROVAL: AUTHORIZE the City Attorney to enter into a contract with Hoan Lovells US, LLP, in an initial amount up to $250,000, with a two-year term for legal services related to the pending litigation in the matters of In re: Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association , United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District; Case No. 2:26-bk-16410-DS; and City of Los Angeles v. Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association ; Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 24STCV33753. INSTRUCT the City Administrative Officer (CAO) to identify funding in this amount for said contract and transfer it to Fund No. 100/12, Account No. 009301, Outside Counsel. AUTHORIZE the City Attorney, or designee, to prepare Controller instructions for any necessary technical adjustments, subject to the approval of the CAO, and authorize the Controller to implement the instructions. Fiscal Impact Statement: None submitted by the City Attorney. Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report. Community Impact Statement: None submitted The City Council may recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the matter above. (Budget and Finance Committee waived considered of this matter)
26-0958
Decision: Special Agenda: Items for which Public Hearings Have Not Been Held - (10 Votes Required for Consideration)