Council Hires Legal Firm After Firing City Attorney
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Commerce has appointed an interim city attorney after the City Council narrowly terminated a contract with the legal firm that has represented the city for the past three years.
Mayor Pro Tem Hugo Argumedo championed both 3-2 votes earlier this month to dismiss former City Atty. Francisco Leal and replace him with the firm of Alvarado, Smith, Villa & Sanchez while the city searches for a permanent counsel.
Argumedo said the new team, which has been retained by Los Angeles County and other major government agencies, had more resources and experience to help the city face upcoming redevelopment issues. But Mayor Jesus M. Cervantes argued that Leal had done a fine job replacing William Camil, who left the position in 1994 after representing the city for more than 30 years.
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