Los Angeles County government’s top lawyer announces plan to retire in July

Los Angeles County’s top attorney announced plans to retire next month, after less than three years leading the county counsel’s office.

In a memo to members of the Board of Supervisors on Thursday, John Krattli announced his intention to retire effective July 22.

Krattli thanked the board and said the county is “well-positioned” to meet future legal challenges.

“Over the last few years the Office has successfully recruited and promoted a diverse group of very bright, very capable attorneys who, along with our very knowledgeable and experienced staff, will do an excellent job of providing your Board and our County departments with excellent legal advice and advocacy,” he wrote.

The board appointed Krattli as acting county counsel in January 2012 after former top attorney Andrea Ordin resigned. They appointed him permanently to the position in June 2012, at a salary of $275,000.

Krattli has worked for the county for 35 years, beginning in the general litigation section of the county counsel’s office in 1979. He headed up the office’s public works division beginning in 1994 and was appointed senior assistant county counsel in 2003.

County spokesman David Sommers said the board would appoint an interim replacement before selecting a new permanent head of the department.

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