Manhattan Beach City Council unanimously voted on Tuesday to appoint the law firm Richards, Watson and Gershon to provide city attorney services. Roxanne Diaz will serve as city attorney.
“Come on down,” said Mayor Nick Tell to Diaz, who was sitting in the audience during the council meeting, motioning her to take her seat at the dais.
Diaz has worked for Richards, Watson and Gershon since graduating from law school from University of California, Hastings College of Law just over 15 years ago. She’s currently the city attorney for Hidden Hills and chief assistant city attorney for Beverly Hills.
Diaz, a lifelong Angeleno and current Sherman Oaks resident, was hired as an independent contractor, not a city employee. “Our hope is that this will reduce our legal expenditures going forward and provide flexibility,” said Councilmember David Lesser.
The city will pay a flat rate of $19,500 per month, or $234,000 annually, for general city attorney legal services – additional services will be supplemented as needed, according to a city staff report. “Future expenditures for legal services will depend on the nature, number and complexity of future legal matters, which are unknown,” said the staff report.
The firm designated Larry Wiener, current city attorney for Beverly Hills, as senior counsel for Manhattan Beach. The firm is comprised of 65 attorneys representing private and public sector clients. “While Roxanne and I will be the faces of the law firm here in Manhattan Beach, we really view ourselves as part of a team of 65 attorneys who will be serving Manhattan Beach,” Wiener said.
The city received applications from 11 firms for the position. The city council created the Ad Hoc City Attorney Selection Subcommittee, which includes Council members Amy Howorth and David Lesser, to develop a process and criteria for selecting a city attorney. After soliciting input from residents, the committee narrowed the firms down to four finalists, including Aleshire & Wynder, Colantuono & Levin, Jenkins & Hogin and Richards, Watson & Gershon.
The firms were evaluated based on their commitment to open government and transparency, civic engagement, ethical leadership and staff development, among other qualities, Lesser said. The whole council interviewed the finalists and decided on Richards, Watson and Gershon.
Diaz will be at City Hall two to three days per week. “To be part of the community fabric is key,” she said, adding, “It’s important for me to establish presence at City Hall, it’s important for me to be there.”
