Council considers staff lawyer for new city attorney

Deepa Bharath

The City Council is looking inside City Hall to replace retired City

Atty. Bob Burnham, despite extensive outside searches.

The city clerk announced Tuesday after a closed session meeting

that council members are considering Acting City Atty. Robin Clauson

for the job.

Council members appointed Clauson, an assistant city attorney in

the interim, after Burnham -- who held his position for two decades

-- retired in August.

In July, the city entered into a contract with Bob Murray &

Associates, a Sacramento-based search firm, to find the city its new

attorney.

City officials said they were looking for a new lead council who

could efficiently handle ongoing annexation procedures for West Santa

Ana Heights, agreements regarding heightened influence at John Wayne

Airport and developing relationships with county, state and federal

elected officials.

The council has interviewed many candidates since August and

narrowed the field down to two, including Clauson, City Councilman

Steve Bromberg said.

“One of them decided to stay where he was,” he said. “So we’re in

the process of putting together a formal offer for [Clauson].”

Bromberg would not reveal the details of the offer yet. Clauson

was not available for comment Thursday.

Clauson is a good fit for Newport Beach not only because she is a

familiar face, but because of her efficiency and knowledge on issues,

said Bromberg, an attorney himself.

“I’ve worked with her for 12 years,” Bromberg said. “I know her

work ethic very well. She’s right at the top of the curve.”

The city of Newport Beach needs “an outstanding land-use

attorney,” which Clauson is, he said.

“Robin also has expertise in municipal law,” he said. “She is

self-confident, knows how to work with the public and has no

communication barriers.”

City Hall gadfly Dolores Otting, who ran for city council in

November, said she is happy with the council’s decision.

“She’s been with the city a long, long time,” she said. “The city

will have continuity with a caring person, who has the experience and

who has done a great job over the years. It’s her reward for doing a

good job.”

* DEEPA BHARATH is the enterprise and general assignment reporter.

She may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.