Merced hires new city attorney

Merced has a new city attorney after a unanimous vote Monday to immediately hire Randolph Hom, who most recently worked for the cities of San Jose and Hayward.

According to the Merced contract, the city will pay him an annual salary of $180,000 for the five-year deal, plus moving expenses of up to $10,000. The annual salary is about $5,500 more than the previous city attorney earned.

Hom’s contract will also give him health, retirement, cellphone and other benefits granted to executive management employees.

“I look forward to this great opportunity to serve the city of Merced,” Hom said.

Hom, 51, served as the senior deputy city attorney in San Jose. He was responsible for civil litigation and trials related to police misconduct, personal injury, dangerous conditions, employment practices and land use.

He also has worked for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in Oakland, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and the State Bar of California, among other places.

He attended Golden Gate University School of Law after earning his bachelor’s from University of California, Berkeley.

Hom takes over from Cristina Talley of Best, Best & Krieger LLP, who has been serving as interim city attorney since September.

Former City Attorney Greg Diaz left that month after 13 years in Merced to accept an appointment as Ventura’s city attorney. He made $174,462 as Merced city attorney.

Several council members spoke highly of Hom during the meeting before voting to confirm his contract. Mayor Stan Thurston said the council unanimously agreed to hire Hom after conducting interviews. “That doesn’t happen often,” he said.

This story was originally published February 3, 2015 at 11:26 AM with the headline "Merced hires new city attorney."