By Jorge Casuso

March 12, 2026 -- On Tuesday, Heidi von Tongeln was named City Attorney, marking the first time in more than half a century that the post was permanently filled from within City Hall.

Von Tongeln's appointment comes after a nationwide search and ends a revolving door that saw the post filled seven times over the past decade by six different attorneys.

A member of the Department for 14 years, Von Tongeln was promoted to chief deputy city attorney in 2022 before becoming interim City Attorney last September, replacing Doug Sloan.

Until now, the Council has hired City Attorneys from outside the department to fill the post on a permanent basis since at least 1970.

“Heidi von Tongeln is an incredible leader and a proven advisor,” Mayor Caroline Torosis said in a statement Wednesday. “Her experience, professionalism and deep commitment to public service will be a tremendous asset to our community.

"This role is essential to ensuring the city operates with transparency, integrity and sound legal guidance," Torosis said. "I’m confident her leadership will strengthen our ability to serve residents and support the city’s continued progress.”

During her time in Santa Monica, von Tongeln has represented the City in litigation and transactional matters and provided advisory support to the City’s boards and commissions, officials said.

As the City's chief legal officer, von Tongeln will run a department with an operating budget of some $19.5 million and a staff of 45 employees, according to the City's job post.

The Office is organized into five divisions -- Administration, Litigation, Criminal Prosecution, Advisory, and Consumer Protection.

According to the post, "The ideal candidate is an accomplished municipal law expert who blends sharp legal judgment with innovation, diplomacy, integrity, and emotional intelligence.

"As a stabilizing presence, the City Attorney provides clear, independent, apolitical counsel; cultivates teamwork; and leverages technology to enhance accountability and efficiency," the job post read.

Before being hired by the City Attorney's Office, 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.

The City Attorney, along with the City Manager and City Clerk, are the only posts appointed by the Council, which can remove the official with a 5 to 2 vote.

The City's top legal post has been a revolving door since the retirement of Marsha Moutrie in December 2016, after serving as City Attorney since 1994 ("City Attorneys Keep Revolving," September 18, 2025).

At least since 1970, when the Council hired Torrance City Attorney Richard Knickerbocker, every City Attorney hired on a permanent basis has come from outside the department.

Bob Myers, who replaced Knickerbocker in 1981, was staff attorney with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, while Moutrie came from a private law firm.

Moutrie was replaced on a permanent basis in 2017 by UCLA's Senior Counsel Lane Dilg, who was replaced by Fresno City Attorney Doug Sloan in 2022.

Attorneys from inside the department have only filled the top spot on an interim basis, ranging from as little as a month to as long as 20 months.

Von Tongeln's appointment comes three months after Police Chief Darrick Jacob became the first chief since 1979 to rise through the ranks and assume the top law enforcement post on a permanent basis.

Von Tongeln will take over as the City's chief legal officer when the Council formally approves her contract on March 24 with an annual salary of $395,352, City officials said.

“I’m honored by the opportunity to serve as city attorney and grateful for the trust placed in me by the city’s leadership,” von Tongeln said in a statement.

“I look forward to working alongside the mayor, councilmembers, city staff and the community to provide thoughtful legal guidance and support the city’s work on behalf of its residents.”