Hawthorne council appoints David L. Casares as city attorney, councilmember abstains

The Hawthorne City Council voted to adopt Resolution 8583 on Jan. 27, 2026, appointing David L. Casares as city attorney and approving a three‑year employment agreement that runs through Jan. 27, 2029. Special counsel Kevin Ennis summarized the agreement to the council, saying the salary would remain at $285,000 — the same amount Casares was paid as interim city attorney and the same salary as the former city attorney — and that the contract includes standard benefits, CalPERS employer contributions, leave accruals, an annual performance evaluation and severance provisions equivalent to the prior city attorney (six months plus up to an additional six months of transition pay if requested).

Why it matters: the city attorney is legal counsel for the city and its elected officials; the appointment converts Casares’ interim status into a permanent position subject to the contract terms read into the record under Government Code requirements.

Ennis told the council that state law (Gov. Code §54953(d)(3)) requires a public oral report on compensation for local agency executives. He said the employment package includes the same fringe benefits as the prior city attorney, clarified leave accrual rates (sick, vacation, administrative leave), a $750 monthly city contribution to deferred compensation, and a city match up to $400 per month for deferred compensation contributions if the city attorney participates. He also said certain retirement provisions that were absent from the interim agreement were included to mirror the former city attorney’s benefits.

During public comment and council Q&A, several residents and one councilmember raised concerns about perceived favoritism and frequent off‑hours contacts between the mayor and the city attorney while Casares served in the interim role. One councilmember said those contacts had, in the past, made her reluctant to contact the city attorney and that the pattern raised questions about impartiality. Other councilmembers and the special counsel characterized those claims as unproven “innuendo” and pointed to established mechanisms — including city code and performance reviews — for raising concerns about staff conduct.

Vote and outcome: Council moved and seconded the resolution. The clerk reported the votes as mayor and council voting yes and Councilmember Angie Massey English abstaining. The motion carried and the council congratulated Casares.

What’s next: The appointment is in effect under the adopted contract; the city attorney’s office and council may follow standard performance review processes and any councilmember may raise personnel concerns through established procedures.