City of Somerville header
File #: 25-0164    Version: 1
Type: Officer's Communication Status: Approved
File created: 1/29/2025 In control: City Council
On agenda: 2/27/2025 Final action: 3/6/2025
Enactment date: 2/27/2025 Enactment #: 218421
Title: City Solicitor requesting approval to retain Lawyers For Civil Rights Boston as outside legal counsel on a pro bono basis to represent the City in connection with any Executive Order issued by the Trump Administration impacting sanctuary cities.
Indexes: Finance-Assessing, Finance-Auditing, Finance-Budget, Finance-Grants Development, Finance-Procurement & Contracting Services, Finance-Treasury, Law

Agenda Summary

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City Solicitor requesting approval to retain Lawyers For Civil Rights Boston as outside legal counsel on a pro bono basis to represent the City in connection with any Executive Order issued by the Trump Administration impacting sanctuary cities.

 

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Official Text

To the Honorable City Council:

 

Pursuant to Section 2-121 of the Somerville Code of Ordinances, I hereby request approval to retain Lawyers For Civil Rights Boston ("LCR"), 61 Batterymarch Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02110, as outside legal counsel on a pro bono basis.  LCR will assist the City by assessing the viability of legal challenges to any Executive Order issued by the Trump Administration impacting sanctuary cities and by filing a lawsuit on the City's behalf in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts if litigation is determined to be advisable.

 

Thank you for your consideration in this matter. I am available to answer any questions you may have.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Cynthia Amara

City Solicitor