Los Altos Hills Taps Five-Member Panel to Help Pick Next Attorney
City Council • Los Altos HillsNovember 5, 2026
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Los Altos Hills is replacing the lawyer whose advice sits behind nearly every council decision, and residents will have a formal voice in the choice. At a Nov. 5, 2026, special meeting, the City Council approved five nominees to a Citizens Advisory Panel. The panel will weigh in as the town chooses between two finalist firms to succeed retiring City Attorney Steve Mattis.
- Five nominees approved to a Citizens Advisory Panel for the attorney search
- Two finalist firms remain after seven applicants were cut and four were interviewed
- Resident cites La Barranca contract error and urges the council to hire for candor, not just experience
Residents Get a Seat in the Attorney Search
Why it matters: The town attorney shapes the legal footing of zoning, contracts and land-use decisions. Adding a resident panel shifts part of a typically staff-driven hire toward public input.
Where things stand: Mayor Rajiv Bhateja explained the origin of the search. "We put out an RFP for attorney services because our current attorney, Steve Mattis, was retiring," said Mayor Bhateja. An RFP, or request for proposals, is the formal process for soliciting bids from outside firms.
Seven applicants were eliminated. An ad hoc committee that included the city manager and the community development director interviewed four. Two finalists remain. "So we're just going to talk to the 2 finalists today," said Mayor Bhateja.
The panel roster is Rajiv Patel, Laura Schmidt, Michelle Yu, Michael Grady and Alan Epstein. It includes a Planning Commission member and three attorneys.
How the panel was built: Councilmember Kavita Tankha said diversity and community involvement guided the choice of panelists, with merit as the tiebreaker. "All things being the same, we went for the best," said Councilmember Tankha.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council approved the five nominees by roll call. For: 4 (Mayor Rajiv Bhateja, Vice Mayor Linda G. Swan, Councilmember Stanley Q. Mok, Councilmember Kavita Tankha). Councilmember George K. Tyson was called, but his vote was not recorded. City Clerk Arika Miller announced that the motion passed.
The stakeholder map is straightforward. Residents and a planning commissioner gain an advisory role in a hire that affects how the town interprets land-use law. The two finalist firms now face a broader audience than council and senior staff alone. Senior staff stay involved through the ad hoc committee that narrowed the field.
What's next: The interviews with the two finalists are the next step. The council did not announce a timeline for a final selection or contract.
Resident: Hire a Lawyer Who Says No
Why it matters: The only public commenter framed the search as a test of whether the town's legal advice protects residents. She argued that residents bear the cost when that advice is wrong.
Where things stand: Cheryl Evans, a Buena Vista Drive resident, pointed to La Barranca as her example. She said the term of the property's Williamson Act contract was inaccurately portrayed and was corrected only after residents raised it. Under California's Williamson Act, landowners accept lower property tax assessments in exchange for keeping land in agricultural or open-space use under contract.
Evans asked the council to look beyond experience and responsiveness when weighing firms. "Look for a firm that will tell the council what the law requires, even when it isn't the answer everyone hoped for," said Evans.
The council's response: Councilmember Tankha and Mayor Bhateja said the advisory panel was designed specifically to bring residents into the process.
What to watch: Whether the panel presses the finalists on how they handle advice that cuts against council or staff preferences. That is the standard Evans set publicly.
Minor Items
- Closed session: After the panel vote, the council adjourned to closed session. The subject was not stated publicly.
Looking ahead: The council has narrowed the attorney search to two finalist firms. Residents tracking land-use and contract issues such as La Barranca may want to follow when the council brings a final attorney selection forward for a public vote.