The Santa Monica Rent Control Board on Jan. 8 approved a revised classification specification for the board’s general counsel to clarify experience requirements, professional skills and role expectations ahead of recruitment.

Staff said the September 2025 specification had been refined by staff and the recruitment subcommittee to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining the position’s essential duties — overseeing litigation, advising on rent-control and administrative law matters, managing the legal department and providing ethics guidance. Staff recommended approval to strengthen the classification and support an inclusive recruitment process.

Commissioner Dudek called the specification “very thorough,” and Commissioner Ambreese said she liked the succinct changes and that the revisions captured the board’s needs. The board voted on the proposed attachment (pages 1–4 as the revised specification, with redline pages for reference) and approved the change on a unanimous roll-call vote.