Santa Monica Names New City Attorney

SANTA MONICA, CA — Interim City Attorney Heidi von Tongeln has been named to the position permanently, replacing outgoing City Attorney Doug Sloan.

She was officially appointed to the role by the Santa Monica City Council at its March 11 meeting.

Von Tongeln assumes the position effective upon formal council approval of her contract on March 24 and will receive an annual salary of $395,352, according to the city.

She has served in the interim role since September 2025, following Sloan's resignation to work for an agency in central California. His resignation went into effect Aug. 31.

Von Tongeln, who joined the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office in 2012, has nearly 20 years of municipal law experience. She had served as Santa Monica's chief deputy city attorney since 2022.

“I’m honored by the opportunity to serve as city attorney and grateful for the trust placed in me by the city’s leadership,” von Tongeln said in a statement. “I look forward to working alongside the mayor, councilmembers, city staff, and the community to provide thoughtful legal guidance and support the city’s work on behalf of its residents.”

“Her experience, professionalism and deep commitment to public service will be a tremendous asset to our community," Mayor Caroline Torosis said of von Tongeln in a statement. "I’m confident her leadership will strengthen our ability to serve residents."

Before Santa Monica, von Tongeln was deputy city attorney to three municipalities and assistant legal counsel to several redevelopment agencies, joint powers authorities, and special districts with the law firm Green, de Bortnowsky & Quintanilla, LLP.

She has a bachelor’s degree in English and French from Pepperdine University and a law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law.