Finding of the James K. Hahn Papers 0005
Morgan Honeycutt (2008) and Katie Richardson (2013)
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
2013
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu 90263
kelsey.knox@pepperdine.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Title: James K. Hahn Papers
Identifier/Call Number: 0005
Physical Description:
80 Linear Feet
(72 boxes, 9 oversize boxes, 4 oversize pictures)
Date (inclusive): 1905-2006
Date (bulk): 1990-2006
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.
Physical Location: Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access note
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Biographical note
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 & 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.
Scope and Contents note
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.
Arrangement note
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 and
Plaques 14. Miscellaneous City Attorney Office/ Mayor Office Files 15. Oversize Items.
Processing note
The collection was originally processed by Morgan Honeycutt in 2008. In 2012, Katie Richardson updated some of the information
and encoded the finding aid.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Correspondence
Political campaigns -- California -- History -- 20th century
Legislation -- California
Elections -- California -- Los Angeles
Urban policy -- California -- Los Angeles -- History -- 20th century
City planning -- California -- Los Angeles -- History -- 20th century
Speeches, addresses, etc., American -- 20th century
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Politics and government -- 20th century
Clippings
Reports
Press releases
Memorandums
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History
Plaques
Publications
Financial records
Audiocassettes
Videocassettes
Hahn, James K. -- Archives
Los Angeles (Calif.). Office of the Mayor
Los Angeles (Calif.). City Attorney's Office
Los Angeles (Calif.). Office of Controller
box 1-10
Series 1:
Press Clipppings
2003-2005
Scope and Contents note
Includes newspaper clippings and web print outs.
box 11-12
Series 2:
City Attorney Press Clipping/Press Releases
1995-2001
box 11
Task Force Disposition Sheets
1997-2000
box 11
Non-Task Force Disposition Sheets
1998-2000
box 11
Task Force Statistics
1997-2000
box 11
Non-Task Force Cases
1997-2001
box 11
Organization Chart, Office of the City Attorney
2000
box 11
Proposed Budgets
1995-1996
box 11-12
Allen Press Clippings
1996-1998
box 11
News Coverage of Gun Litigation
1999
box 11
L.A. Focus Volume 5, Issue 4
2000
box 13
Series 3:
City Attorney Items
1990-2001
box 13
Response to Valley Secession Proposal
2001 June 8
box 14a-19
Series 4:
Mayor's Chronological Files
2001-2005
Scope and Contents note
Includes personal papers, files, memos, etc.
box 20
Series 5:
Media Advisories and Misc. Folder
2001-2004
box 20
Immediate Release Memos
2003
box 20
Allesandro Elementary School - Red Car Art Project
2001 October 22
box 20
Media Advisories
2001-2003
box 21
Series 6:
Press Releases
2001-2004
Scope and Contents note
Includes statements from Mayor James Hahn.
box 22
Series 7:
Miscellaneous Papers For James Hahn
1999-2005
box 23-24
Series 8:
Budget Books
2002-2006
Supplemental Schedules - Supplement to the 2002-2003 Proposed Budget
Explanation of Recommended Changes in Personnel - Supplement to the 2002-2003 Proposed Budget
Detail of Positions and Salaries - Supplement to the 2002-2003 Proposed Budget
City of Los Angeles - Budget Summary 2002-2003
Budget for the Fiscal Year 2002- 2003
Detail of Department Programs with Financial Summaries - Supplement to the 2002-2003 Proposed Budget
Detail of Department Programs with Financial Summaries - Supplement to the 2003-2004 Proposed Budget
Supplemental Schedules - Supplement to the 2003-2004 Proposed Budget
Revenue Outlook - Supplement to the 2003-2004 Proposed Budget
Detail of Positions and Salaries and Explanation of Recommended Changes in Personnel - Supplement to the 2003-2004 Proposed
Budget
Detail of Department Programs - Supplement to the 2003-2904 Proposed Budget
2003-2004 Proposed Budget - Supporting Information for the Budget and Finance Committee
City of Los Angeles Budget Summary 2003-2004
Budget for the Fiscal Year 2002 -2003
Supplemental Schedules - Supplement to the 2004-2005 Proposed Budget
Detail of Department Programs - Supplement to the 2004-2005 Proposed Budget
Neighborhood Council Budget Summary - Supplement to the 2004-2005 Proposed Budget
Detail of Department Programs with Financial Summaries - Supplement to the 2004-2005 Proposed Budget
Revenue Outlook - Supplement to the 2004-2005 Proposed Budget
Budget for the Fiscal Year 2004-2005
Detail of Positions and Salaries and Explanation of Recommended Changes in Personnel - Supplement to the 2004-2005 Proposed
Budget
City of Los Angeles Budget Summary 2005-2006
Neighborhood Council Budget Summary - Supplement to the 2005-2006 Proposed Budget
2005-2006 Proposed Budget - Supporting Information for the Budget and Finance Committee
Detail of Department Programs - Supplement to the 2005-2006 Proposed Budget
Revenue Outlook - Supplement to the 2005-2006 Proposed Budget
Supplemental Schedules - Supplement to the 2005-2006 Proposed Budget
Detail of Positions and Salaries and Explanation of Recommended Changes in Personnel - Supplement to the 2005-2006 Proposed
Budget
Budget for the Fiscal Year 2005-2006
box 25
Series 9:
Final Reports with Media Presentations
1905-2005
2001-2005
box 26-44
Series 10:
VHS Tapes
1999-2004
Physical Description: (616 videos)
Arrangement
The VHS tapes are organized by date.
box 45-48, 50
Series 11:
Audiocassettes
2002-2005
Physical Description: (488 audiocassettes)
box 48-49
Series 12:
CD Digital Photos
2001-2004
Scope and Content
Photographs of James Hahn and Hahn with other prominent politicians.
box 50-68, 73-80
Series 13:
Awards and Plaques
box 69-72, 80-81
Series 14:
Miscellaneous- City Attorney's Office / Mayor's Office
Series 15:
Oversize Items
Scope and Content
Includes two pictures, a plaque from the fire chief, and a congratulations poster.
