James K. Hahn Papers, 1905-2006, bulk 1990-2006

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Abstract:
James Kenneth Hahn has served in numerous public office positions including Deputy City Attorney (1975–1979), City Controller (1981–1985), City Attorney (1985–2001), and Mayor of Los Angeles (2001-2005). The collection includes press clippings, press releases, Hahn's mayoral files, budget books, business plans, audio and video recordings, awards and plaques, as well as personal memorabilia. The bulk of the materials date from 1990 to 2006.
Extent:
58 Linear Feet (53 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], James K. Hahn papers, Collection no. 0005, Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains materials that span Hahn's sixteen years as the Los Angeles City Attorney to his four years as Los Angeles Mayor. Included are press clippings, Hahn's mayoral files, press releases, budget books, business plans, audio and video recordings, awards and plaques, and personal memorabilia.

Biographical / historical:

James Kenneth Hahn was born on July 3, 1950, in Los Angeles, California. Hahn comes from a family of public servants. His father, Kenneth Hahn, served as the Los Anegeles City Councilman and as Los Angeles County Supervisor for 40 years. His uncle, Gordon Hahn, was a state assemblyman and a Los Angeles City Councilman. His cousin, Dale Hahn, serves as Superior Court judge in San Mateo County and his sister, Janice Hahn, is the Congressional Representative for California's 36th District.

Hahn grew up in the Morningside Park district of Inglewood near South Los Angeles. He attended Pepperdine University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in English and a minor in Journalism in 1972. He continued his education at Pepperdine School of Law where he received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 1975.

After law school, Hahn worked in the Office of the City Attorney as a Prosecutor and Deputy City Attorney until 1979. At this point, he turned to private practice with a colleague, Robert Horner, until 1981. In 1981, Hahn was elected City Controller of Los Angeles and held the post until 1985. Hahn went on to serve as the Los Angeles City Attorney until 2001. He used his time in office to create the Tobacco Enforcement Project, Citywide Nuisance Abatement Program, and Kid Watch LA. He focused on gang activity, domestic violence laws, and the tobacco and gun industries.

On June 5, 2001, Hahn narrowly defeated former California Speaker of the Assembly Antonio Villaraigosa in a run-off election to succeed Mayor Richard Riordan. Hahn assumed office on July 2, 2001, as 40th Mayor of the City of Los Angeles. During his time as Mayor, he focused on homeland security, public safety, housing and economic development, education, youth and families, energy and the environment, transportation, and city services. He remained in office until 2005, when he lost to Villaraigosa.

After leaving office, Hahn accepted the position of a managing director and partner at the firm Chadwick Saylor and Company. On November 5, 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Hahn to fill a vacant judgeship in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Presently, he presides over Small Claims cases in Santa Monica.

Processing information:

The collection was originally processed by Morgan Honeycutt in 2008. In 2012, Katie Richardson updated some of the information and encoded the finding aid. Lucy Perrin updated the finding aid in 2024.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in the following series: 1. Press Clippings 2. City Attorney Press Clippings 3. City Attorney Items 4. Mayor's Chronological Files 5. Media Advisories and Misc. Folder 6. Press Releases 7. Miscellaneous Papers for Jim Hahn 8. Budget Books 9. Final Reports with Media Presentations 10. VHS Tapes 11. Audio Tapes 12. CD Digital Photos 13. Awards, Plaques, and Photos.

Physical location:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for access.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], James K. Hahn papers, Collection no. 0005, Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.

Location of this collection:
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263-4786, US
Contact:
(310) 506-4323
specialcollections@pepperdine.edu
Website