By Karen Robes Meeks
Diane Middleton is the newest member of the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners.
Middleton, who attended her first meeting March 7, was appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. She is an attorney and harbor area community activist.
“Diane is a proven leader with more than four decades of experience fighting for social justice and advocating for workers’ rights,” said Garcetti. “Angelenos will benefit from the breadth and depth of experience she will bring to the Board of Harbor Commissioners.”
The San Pedro resident takes over for longtime commissioner David Arian, who died in January following a long bout with cancer.
As an attorney, she represented injured auto, steel and hospital workers, including labor union activists. In 1979, Middleton started her own law practice in San Pedro, specializing in maritime law. Before retiring in 2010, she had represented approximately 7,000 individuals, including injured longshoremen and shipyard workers.
In 1993, she co-founded the Harry Bridges Institute with David Arian and is still part of the leadership team.
