From Mayor Hahn to Judge Hahn

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed former Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn to the post of Superior Court judge. Details from the governor's statement:

Hahn, 58, of San Pedro, has served as a mediator for the Alternative Resolution Center since January 2008. Prior to that, he worked as managing director for Chadwick, Saylor & Company from 2005 to 2007. Hahn served the city of Los Angeles as mayor from 2001 to 2005, city attorney from 1985 to 2001 and controller from 1981 to 1985. From 1979 to 1981, he was a partner with Horner and Hahn and, from 1975 to 1979, a deputy city attorney in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pepperdine University. Hahn fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Wendell Mortimer. Hahn is a Democrat.

Hahn has been gaining a larger public profile since his stinging defeat in 2005. Last year, his portrait was unveiled at City Hall, and The Times' Bob Pool was there:

At least it wasn't done in charcoaled shades of gray. A solemn official portrait of a former Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn was unveiled Thursday at City Hall in a ceremony tinged with laughter, if not with color. Hahn is depicted with folded arms and a somewhat aloof expression. He is pictured wearing a black suit, white shirt and pale blue tie, against a green backdrop. The 3-foot oil-on-linen painting will hang in a portrait gallery on the 26th floor of the City Hall tower in the downtown Civic Center that is lined with images of 39 other Los Angeles mayors.

-- Patrick McGreevy and Shelby Grad

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Kim Tran]

I HEART JAMES HAHN!!!! I'm positive he will be an excellent judge.

[Jack from Mar Vista]

Congrats to Mayor Hahn! He was a great public servant at City Hall...and he will be a fair and great public servant in the courtroom.

[brian]

Kenny, Gordon, and John would be proud.