Attorney tapped as city counsel

DOWNEY - Yvette M. Abich Garcia has been appointed Downey's new city attorney and will begin her position Dec. 27.Garcia, who has 14 years of experience in public law, previously provided counsel to the cities of Barstow, Calabasas, Commerce, Los Alamitos and Sierra Madre. She currently holds the position of senior counsel with Colantuono & Levin, a prominent municipal law firm in California. Garcia also serves as general counsel to several joint powers authorities, including the Orangeline Development Authority, the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Investment and Policy Boards, and the West Cities Communication Center. "I believe Ms. Garcia's work with municipal governments, joint powers authorities, land power policies and conflict of interest law will be a tremendous asset to the city," Mayor Anne Bayer said in a statement. Garcia briefly addressed the audience Tuesday after the City Council unanimously confirmed her appointment in a closed session vote. "This is an important position and a position I‚Äàdon't take lightly," she said. "I look forward to serving the Downey community." Garcia's expertise is in labor and employment law, open meeting laws and conflict of interest issues, as well as land use and redevelopment law, a press release issued by the city states. She is admitted to practice law in California and before the U.S. District Court for the Central District and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. "I am pleased that Ms. Garcia, with her extensive knowledge of local issues and priorities, will be able (to) contribute immediately to the important initiatives Downey is currently pursuing," city manager Gerald Caton said. Garcia serves on the Executive Board of Public Law Section of the California State Bar and obtained her undergraduate degree from Loyola Marymount University and her Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School. She will replace Charles Vose, who has filled in as interim city attorney since the city fired embattled attorney Ed Lee in August, who, at the time, was also representing the city of Bell.

********** Published: November 25, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 32