Specifications include, but are not limited to: The duties of counsel, broadly stated, are to provide the City of Los Angeles and/or named defendants with high quality, liability sensitive, cost-effective legal defense. Specific duties shall include, but are not limited to, the ability to take on cases with minimal lead time, and provide legal advice and/or representation before courts and governmental agencies. The firm may represent and defend the City and/or named defendant(s) in a case which may require, but not necessarily be limited to, the following tasks: a. Gathering initial information; b. Conducting non-deposition discovery; c. Conducting depositions; d. Conducting legal research, investigating case facts (including pretrial discovery) and preparing motions; e. Preparing and filing legal documents (including pleadings and briefs); f. Making appearances and oral arguments; g. Participating in one or more trials; h. Handling post-trial proceedings; i. Handling appeals from adverse judgments; (Appeals may be contracted separately from case contracts involving the underlying litigation. There will be no guarantee that the originating firm handling the underlying litigation shall be assigned to handle the appeal process.) j. Assisting with the development of defense strategy on complex cases; k. Conducting peer review on complex cases to ensure appropriate legal representation; l. Coordinating the defense strategies of multiple attorneys on multi venue cases; and m. Advising management on settlement offers and strategies. n. Appearances before City of Los Angeles Claims Board, Budget, Finance & Innovation Committee, and/ or full City Council