Priceline. Com Inc. v. City of Anaheim

Opinion

IKOLA, J.

Plaintiffs 1 appeal from a judgment denying their petition for a writ of mandate directed to defendants the City of Anaheim, Mayor Curt Pringle, and City Attorney Jack White (collectively, Anaheim). Plaintiffs sought to compel Anaheim to litigate tax assessment proceedings without the assistance of outside counsel retained pursuant to a contingency fee agreement. They contend outside counsel’s contingency fee arrangement violates a government lawyer’s duty of neutrality. (See People ex rel. Clancy v. Superior Court (1985) 39 Cal.3d 740, 746-750 [218 Cal.Rptr. 24, 705 P.2d 347]…