James Hahn
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| James Hahn | |
| |
| Order | 40th Mayor of Los Angeles |
| Term of Office | 2001–2005 |
| Predecessor | Richard Riordan |
| Successor | Antonio Villaraigosa |
| Date of Birth | July 3, 1950 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California |
| First Lady | Monica Hahn |
| Profession | Politician |
| City Attorney | Rocky Delgadillo |
| City Controller | Laura Chick |
| Political Party | Democrat |
Biography
James Hahn was born on July 3, 1950 in Los Angeles, and raised in the Morningside Park district of South Los Angeles. Hahn attended Manchester Avenue Elementary School, Daniel Freeman Elementary School, Horace Mann Junior High School, and Lutheran High School.He graduated from the Seaver College of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California magna cum laude with a Bachelor's Degree in English and a minor in journalism in 1972. He received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Pepperdine University School of Law in 1975. A Pepperdine University news release stated that in 1994, he was selected as the School of Law's Distinguished Alumnus. Also written was that while at Seaver College, he assisted in the development of a paralegal program for the Family Law Center of the Legal Aid Society and that during law school, he clerked for the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.
Upon graduation in 1975 until 1979, Hahn worked as a prosecutor and deputy city attorney in the office of the City Attorney. From 1979-1981, he was in private practice with long time friend Robert Horner.
In 1981 he was elected the fifth and youngest City Controller of Los Angeles and served until 1985. Hahn then went on to serve a record 16 years, 1985-2001, as Los Angeles City Attorney. Also written in a Pepperdine University news release was that with 358 attorneys, and a support staff of 346, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office is one of the largest municipal law offices in the nation and has branch offices in 21 locations citywide.
James Hahn was elected in 2001 to serve as the 40th mayor of Los Angeles but was not re-elected in 2005.
While Mayor, Hahn led two successful trade trips, one to Asia and one to Mexico.
In Mexico, Hahn received an airport security briefing at Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport and held meetings with Mexican business and airlines executives and Mexican President Vicente Fox. As a result of his Mexico trip, AeroMexico airlines decided to fly out of Ontario International Airport, providing a more regional approach to air service in the Los Angeles area. In addition, he secured a deal with Grupo Gigante to open five of their stores in Los Angeles to improve the economy. He also set up a Mexico Trade Desk within the Mayor’s Office of International Trade to increase opportunities.
In his trip to Asia, Mayor Hahn met with South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung, Beijing Mayor Liu Qi and Shanghai Mayor Chen Liang Yu. Mayor Hahn received the medal of honorary citizenship from Mayor of Seoul Lee Myung-bak at Seoul City Hall. In Beijing, Hahn established an agreement concerning the 2008 Olympics, created trade offices in both cities, designating Los Angeles as gateway to Beijing and allowing Los Angeles firms to be hired to oversee the renovation of the Beijing airport. Mayor Hahn, working with the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, launched a program in Japan called "See My LA" with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Dodger Kazuhisa Ishii. In Korea, he partnered with Korean soccer star Hong Myung-bo to encourage Koreans to come to Los Angeles to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Koreans in Los Angeles. Both campaigns were aimed to increase tourism from Japan and Korea. In addition, Hahn established an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association to exchange rare and exotic animals to be displayed at the Los Angeles Zoo. To improve regional air service in LA, Hahn convinced EVA airlines to fly out of Ontario International Airport. The most prominent agreement was with the Port of LA and the Ports of Beijing and Shanghai, expanding service to the Port of LA, ensuring Asian cargo ships are plugged into natural power, and sharing technology and resources between the ports.
As part of his duties as mayor, Hahn was a member of the Board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and advocated for better public transportation for the county. During the aftermath of the events of September 11, the US Conference of Mayors appointed Hahn to chair a task force of US Mayors on Aviation Security.
On June 28, 2005, shortly before the inauguration of his successor, Hahn was honored in the John Ferraro Council Chambers of City Hall by the City Council and Fire Department for 24 years of elected public service.
Hahn is from a family of public servants. His father, Kenny Hahn, served as an LA City Councilman and as an LA County Supervisor for a record 40 years. Hahn's uncle, Gordon Hahn, was a state assemblyman and an LA City Councilman and another uncle, John Hahn, was assistant county clerk. His cousin, Dale Hahn, is a Superior Court judge in San Mateo County. His sister, Janice Hahn, was reelected in 2005 as an LA City Councilwoman for the 15th district.
Hahn is a member of the Redondo Beach Church of Christ.
Hahn lives in the Los Angeles community of San Pedro with his two children Karina and Jackson; he was formerly married to Monica Hahn and Joni Hawley.
Political career
Hahn served as a deputy city attorney in the City Attorney's office from 1975-1979 and was in private practice from 1979-1981. From 1981-1985, he served as the City Controller of Los Angeles and later served as City Attorney from 1985-2001 before defeating former State Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, a fellow Democrat, by 9% in the 2001 mayoral election to become the 40th mayor of the city of Los Angeles. Hahn sought a second term as mayor, with the runoff election being held on May 17, 2005, but he was defeated by Villaragoisa.Mayoral staff
Mayor Hahn's staff consisted of a Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff. It also included a Director of Communications as head of the Press Office and several Deputy Mayors, each covering different areas of policy and community development.
Post mayoral career
After leaving office, Hahn accepted the position of a managing director and partner at the firm Chadwick Saylor & Company, which has offices in Los Angeles and Atlanta.On October 19, 2005, Hahn took part in a discussion entitled "The State of Los Angeles", sponsored by a non-profit organization called "Days of Dialogue". The other panelists were former Mayor Richard Riordan and current Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the only other living mayors of the city of Los Angeles. "Days of Dialogue" was founded after the notorious OJ Simpson trial in order to encourage discussions on key issues in the Los Angeles region. It is currently chaired by California State Assemblyman and former Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas.
On Monday, December 12, 2005, Hahn delivered a eulogy at the funeral of long time city councilman Marvin Braude. On January 7, 2006, Hahn attended and spoke at a memorial service at Los Angeles City Hall and at a private residence for former County Federation of Labor leader Bill Robertson. Since leaving office, he has also attended a number of other events of significance.
On March 1, 2006, it was announced that through Chadwick Saylor & Company, Hahn will become CEO of Los Angeles Development Partners, L.P. (LADP). The partnership consists of an 800 million dollar fund managed by Chadwick Saylor & Company with numerous investors. Its goal is to develop affordable housing and other economic development projects around transit lines, including the Metrolink and Metro Rail. The projects will be completed by unionists. Hahn will be in charge of all of the operations of the entire 800 million dollar fund.
Life highlights
- Pepperdine University, B.A. English (Minor- Journalism), 1972
- Pepperdine University School of Law, J.D., 1975
- Deputy City Attorney, Los Angeles City Attorney, 1975-1979
- Private Practice (With Robert Horner), 1979-1981
- Los Angeles City Controller, 1981-1985
- Los Angeles City Attorney, 1985-2001
- Mayor of Los Angeles, 2001-2005
- Managing Director, Chadwick Saylor & Company, 2005-Current
- CEO, Los Angeles Development Partners, 2006-Current
See also
External links
- [Hahn for Mayor 2001]
- [Hahn for Mayor 2005]
- [Chadwick Saylor & Company] James Hahn, Managing Director
- [League of Women Voters of California, 2001 Election]
- [League of Women Voters of California, 2005 Election]
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