Project Information

Bid Title

RFP: Fiduciary Counsel Legal Services

Issuing Agency

Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association

Location

California

Published Date

Oct 30, 2025

Closing Date

Dec 19, 2025

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

Join to Access Full Details

Bid Inquiries

Join to Access Full Details

Bid Documents

Join to Access Full Details

Project Description

RFP: Fiduciary Counsel Legal Services

LACERA is a defined benefit public pension fund established to administer retirement benefits to employees of the County of Los Angeles and other participating agencies pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL) (California Government Code Section 31450, et seq.), the California Public Employees’ Pension Act of 2013 (PEPRA) (California Government Code Section 7522, et seq.), and other applicable law. LACERA operates as an independent governmental entity separate and distinct from Los Angeles County. LACERA has approximately 500 employees to administer benefits for active, deferred, and retired members; oversee the County’s retiree health benefits program; and manage the fund’s investments. LACERA manages over $85 billion in fund assets to support the pensions of almost 200,000 active, retired, and deferred members. The fund also invests over $5 billion in assets to support the retiree healthcare program.

LACERA’s staff includes a Legal Division consisting of thirteen (13) lawyers, five (5) legal analysts, and other professional support staff, with expertise in governance, compliance, benefits, disability, investments, commercial contracts, litigation, employment, and legislative matters.

Scope of Work

LACERA seeks to hire outside counsel to provide independent legal advice and services related to the full range of issues of fiduciary duties concerning LACERA’s operations and governance, including duties arising in connection with the interpretation and application of relevant provisions of the California Constitution, CERL, PEPRA, the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, and other applicable law. Working as appropriate in coordination with the Boards, Board Chairs, and LACERA’s Legal, Internal Audit, and Ethics and Compliance Divisions and other staff, the responsibilities of fiduciary counsel will include the following:

1. Provide oral and written legal advice to the Board of Retirement, Board of Investments, and/or staff regarding fiduciary duties.
2. Analyze and evaluate fiduciary matters facing the organization and its Boards.
3. Keep the Boards and staff up to date on the laws, legal developments regarding fiduciary duties and emerging pension risks and trends and provide training, including a minimum of 4 training presentations per calendar year for the Boards.
4. Assist in other fiduciary matters, including litigation, as requested.

The duties and responsibilities of fiduciary counsel are further explained in the Boards’ Fiduciary Counsel Policy, which is attached as Attachment 1 to this RFP.

Core skills include comprehensive knowledge and understanding of relevant fiduciary law, excellent oral and written communication skills, sound judgment, the ability to work well with and maintain the confidence of the Board of Retirement, the Board of Investments, and staff, and the ability to deliver services in a timely and cost-effective manner.

The lead attorney must have at least ten (10) years of experience providing fiduciary advice to public or private organizations in California. Experience in advising other CERL systems and/or other public pension systems is strongly desirable.

The term of service will be five (5) years with an optional two-year extension.

Submission Requirements

Submissions must be delivered in PDF format via email and three hard copies by mail or other delivery service to the contact person by the due dates stated below.

Contact Person

Francis (Frank) J. Boyd
Senior Staff Counsel
Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association
300 N. Lake Avenue, Suite 600
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 564-2385 Fboyd@lacera.gov

Tentative Timetable

Issuance of RFP

October 30, 2025

Written Questions and Requests for Clarification Due

November 14, 2025

Response to Questions Posted

November 18, 2025

Proposals Due

December 19, 2025

Finalist Interviews

January 2026

Estimated Final Selection and Approval by Boards

February 2026

RFP Materials

RFP: Fiduciary Counsel Legal Services

Attachment Preview

To access this preview, please sign up here.

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541110Offices of Lawyers

* Disclaimer: Government BidHub provides information on bids, RFPs (Requests for Proposals), and RFQs (Requests for Qualifications) solely for convenience and informational purposes. This site is not an official public notice board. For official details, responses, or inquiries, please contact the relevant government agency directly.