Sen.-elect Hertzberg to moonlight with law firm

State Sen.-elect Bob Hertzberg has accepted a second job as a government affairs attorney for the law firm Glaser Weil, but says he will not advise clients on issues that may come before state agencies or the Legislature.

Hertzberg, a Democrat from Los Angeles, won election Tuesday to the 18^th Senate District that includes much of the San Fernando Valley, returning to the Legislature after having previously served as speaker of the state Assembly. He takes office Dec. 1. His annual salary as a senator will be $97,197 and he will also get tax-free per diem expenses of about $25,000 a year as a lawmaker.

He said he will also become Of counsel to Glaser Weil, joining the law firm’s government affairs practice, which is overseen by former Beverly Hills Mayor Thomas Levyn and Tim McOsker, former chief of staff to then-mayor of Los Angeles James Hahn.

Hertzberg did not return calls for comment but said in a statement that he is “thrilled” by the job and will not advise clients on matters that may come before the Legislature or state agencies. The law firm is not registered as a lobbyist employer in Sacramento but its areas of practice include helping clients get “legislative solutions,” government contracts and favorable decisions from government regulatory agencies.

The firm’s website said its environmental office’s clients include “major oil companies, regulated water utilities, alternative energy providers, banks, investment firms, industrial concerns and developers.”

The firm’s attorneys have represented clients including Occidental Petroleum, Vintage Petroleum, Thrifty Oil, Huffy Corporation, Bank of America, City National Bank, Roche, Dole Food Co. and Rockstar Energy Drinks.

It has also represented Las Vegas casino operators including MGM Grand and Wynn Resorts Ltd. Other clients have included Southern California Gas Co., CBS, the County of Los Angeles, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the MTA and the City of Santa Monica.

Among its specialties is representing utility companies in complying with California’s landmark environmental law, AB 32, which was approved by the Legislature.

Hertzberg has worked in the renewable energy field and for the last 12 years worked for the law firm Mayer Brown, LLP.

Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. said he is not concerned that Hertzberg is moonlighting, noting that many legislators have outside jobs despite the Legislature being a full-time body.

The association would prefer that the Legislature be a part-time body with modest pay and that lawmakers have full-time jobs.

“I am less concerned about the amount of time (moonlighting) than ensuring that he not take any work that gives the appearance of a conflict of interest,” Coupal said. “When people work in government affairs that’s always an issue.” Coupal said Hertzberg has a reputation for integrity so he does not foresee a problem.