By Jorge Casuso

September 18, 2025 -- Chief Deputy City Attorney Heidi von Tongeln was appointed Tuesday to head the City's legal department, becoming the seventh person to hold the post in the last nine years.

She will replace Doug Sloan, who resigned in July after serving three years, making him the longest-serving City Attorney since Marsha Moutrie retired in 2016 after 22 years on the job.

Von Tongeln joined the City Attorney’s Office in 2012 and has "represented the city’s legal interests in both litigation and transactional matters," City officials said.

She also has provided advisory support to City boards and commissions and served in the acting City Attorney role for a month.

“We are grateful for Heidi’s willingness to step up and lead us through this transition in the City Attorney’s Office,” Mayor Lana Negrete said in a statement.

“She brings a depth of experience, positive attitude and collaborative spirit that will ensure we continue to fulfill our legal obligations and support the city team.”

Before joining the City, von Tongeln served as deputy city attorney to three municipalities and assistant legal counsel to several redevelopment agencies, joint powers authorities and special districts with Green, de Bortnowsky & Quintanilla, LLP.

She has a bachelor’s degree in English and French from Pepperdine University and a law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law.

Since Moutrie's retirement nine years ago, the City's top legal post has been a revolving door.

Moutrie, who left in December 2016, was replaced on an interim basis by Deputy City Attorney Joe Lawrence, who held the post until the City Council hired Lane Dilg in August 2017 after a nationwide search.

After Dilg was hired as interim City Manager in April 2020, she was replaced by George Cardona, who resigned in August 2021 after being named chief trial counsel by the California Bar Association.

Lawrence, who had since retired, replaced Cardona on an interim basis and held the post until April 2022, when he was replaced, also on an interim basis, by Special Projects Deputy City Attorney Susan Cola.

The following month, Fresno City Attorney Doug Sloan was tapped to fill the post on a permanent basis following a two-year search.

Sloan, who resigned in July of this year, was unanimously appointed County Counsel by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in early August and assumed the post on September 2.

Sloan was the first City official to resign after City Manager Oliver Chi was hired on July 24. Police Chief Ramon Batista and Community Development Director Arminé Chaparyan followed suit.

Chi will present "a citywide game plan" to the Council next month that lays out ways to tackle Santa Monica's fiscal crisis by realigning City operations.