SAN FERNANDO : City Hires Latino Law Firm Amid Protest

The San Fernando City Council hired a Latino-owned law firm Friday despite heated debate, a request that bids be solicited and claims by several residents and business owners that the decision amounted to reverse discrimination.

The council voted 3 to 2, with council members Doude Wysbeek and Ray Ojeda dissenting, to hire the Los Angeles-based law firm of Ochoa & Sillas. There was no bidding on the contract.

The council fired the Costa Mesa-based law firm of Rutan & Tucker, its city attorney for 11 years, after meeting in closed session early Tuesday morning. Speakers lined up in a public hearing Friday to denounce the firing and protest the fact that the law firm run by three Latino partners was the sole contender for the job.

“I have no problem with giving the opportunity to minority firms to empower a group of people to play on a fair playing field of equals. What I am against is reverse discrimination,” said Bruce Cohen, the executive vice president of the San Fernando Chamber of Commerce.

Bud Brown, president of the San Fernando Police Advisory Council, said the decision stemmed from a desire that “city employees have brown faces. If that’s the case, I’d be real sad for the city.” Mayor Dan Acuna defended the council’s action, calling on those who injected race into the issue to “put your sheets away.”

“This has nothing to do with minorities,” Acuna said. “If this law firm were named Smith & Jones, I doubt this would ever be an issue.”

Acuna turned down a bid by Wysbeek and Ojeda to hold off on the decision and encourage other law firms to submit bids to provide legal services. “This firm I believe will continue to provide good service. We’re bringing on board quality people,” he said.

City officials said the new firm will be paid the same as Rutan, $3,500 monthly and $135 an hour for legal services not covered by the retainer.

A partner in the firm, Herman Sillas, was present at the meeting but did not speak to the council. After the meeting, he expressed confidence his company would do a good job, despite the charges that the firm is being hired solely because it is owned by Latinos. “We’ll do well. That’s not a concern of ours,” he said.