Simi Valley Narrows City Attorney Search to 2 Southland Candidates

A replacement for retiring City Atty. John Torrance could be chosen as soon as today, city officials said.

After a four-month search, the city has narrowed the field to two candidates, said Assistant City Manager Laura Herron.

“It’s been a pretty intense process,” Herron said. “We’ve looked at a lot of people and it looks like we’re about ready to make a decision.”

The winning candidate, whether named this week or next, would likely go before the City Council for confirmation March 16.

City officials, with the help of a professional recruiter, have spent the last several months reviewing applications and interviewing candidates to replace the 57-year-old Torrance, who, after more than 14 years of managing the city’s legal affairs, will step down April 1.

City officials will only say the two finalists both are qualified lawyers from Southern California and well-versed in municipal affairs.

One candidate is now a city attorney and the other is an assistant city attorney in cities of comparable size to Simi Valley, officials say.

The city attorney’s many duties include managing the legal affairs of the city, including claims and lawsuits filed against it, and developing legislation to protect the community’s interests.

While city officials heralded both candidates as sound choices to fill the post, they said the choice will depend on how well the candidate gets along with the City Council and city staff.

“It’s all going to come down to personalities,” Councilwoman Barbara Williamson said. “Personally, I want someone who is sharp, hungry and as aggressive as John.”

Torrance announced his retirement in October to give City Manager Mike Sedell time to find a qualified replacement.

Although Torrance made $120,000 a year, city officials said the new city attorney’s salary will be negotiated after a choice is made.

As the city’s chief counsel since 1983, Torrance has crafted a variety of city laws, from a code that protects Simi Valley’s natural vistas to one that prohibits mud wrestling.

Upcoming issues that the new city attorney will have to face include a suit alleging that Simi Valley police officers violated the constitutional rights of motorcyclists after they cited 46 during a charity ride sponsored by the Hells Angels last year.

Another will be ordinances to limit adult-oriented businesses like topless bars and to refine the criteria for business signs in the city.