Port of San Diego Steals LA Port Attorney

After a nationwide search, the Port of San Diego has hired away Port of Los Angeles general counsel Thomas A. Russell to be its chief attorney, replacing the retired Duane Bennett.

Russell currently heads the Harbor Division of the Los Angeles Office of the City Attorney, where he oversees all litigation involving the Port of L.A. He’s been with the office since November 2002, when he was appointed by then-City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo.

He said he hadn’t planned on changing jobs, but was recruited for the position during the port’s national search.

Russell’s a member of the American Association of Port Authorities Law Review Committee and chaired the American Bar Association’s Subcommittee on Maritime Financing from 1994-2002. A California native, he is a graduate of University of Southern California’s Law School and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Board of Port Commissioners Chair said Lou Smith said the port was “delighted to welcome an attorney of Tom’s caliber and breadth of relevant experience to the Port of San Diego.”

He starts his new job in San Diego in early December.

Bennett, the man Russell replaces, retired in November 2011 after eight and a half years on the job. Another port attorney, Celia Brewer, has been serving as interim general counsel.

Port of San Diego Seeks Land Development Input

The Port of San Diego is seeking ideas for the possible future development and preservation of 95 acres of undeveloped land on the shore of south San Diego Bay.

A meeting where interested parties can learn how to submit their project ideas for the land, which is known as Pond 20, is scheduled for 4:30 pm to 6 pm Mon., June 25, 2012 in the Dempsey Holder Safety Center, 950 Ocean Lane, Imperial Beach.

Information will also be available during the meeting on previous studies related to the area and comments the Port District already has received.

Pond 20 was purchased by the Port of San Diego about 14 years ago as part of an 836-acre land acquisition, but it wasn’t until earlier this year that the Board of Port Commissioners and the cities of San Diego and Imperial Beach approved an agreement to explore possible uses for the area.

The land is located in the City of San Diego but is included as part of the City of Imperial Beach Redevelopment Area. The Port District will consider all project concepts in conjunction with the cities of San Diego and Imperial Beach.

Conceptual plans may also be submitted directly to the Port District by 2 pm, Fri., Aug. 24, 2012. Letters may be submitted to: Pond 20 Letters of Interest, San Diego Unified Port District

Government Relations, P.O. Box 120488, San Diego, Calif. 92112-0488, Attn: Michelle White.