Mayor Eric Garcetti nominated William Briggs, a trial lawyer and civil litigator, to the Los Angeles Police Commission.
Briggs’ nomination is subject to City Council confirmation, and if confirmed he will succeed Shane Goldsmith, who is stepping down after more than four years on the commission, Garcetti said.
“Our city is leading the movement to re-imagine public safety, revitalize our commitment to racial justice and support our courageous police officers who keep our city safe,” Garcetti said. “And I’m confident that William Briggs will bring an extraordinary record of leadership and commitment to the fight for fairness, equity and a safer Los Angeles.”
Briggs is a partner at Venable LLP who has “broad experience” in the entertainment industry, and he has worked in state and federal courtrooms across various practices of law, including disputes that involve trademarks, defamation and the First Amendment, Garcetti said.
“Nothing matters more to our common security than deepening bonds of trust between police officers and the Angelenos they serve, especially in communities of color, and I know William shares my commitment to working with Angelenos to bring meaningful change,” the mayor said.
Beyond his legal practice, Briggs is heavily involved in civic and community affairs. In 2014, Garcetti appointed him to be a commissioner on the Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System, where he was responsible for overseeing pensions and disability benefits for city employees.
Briggs also served as a trustee on the Sierra Canyon School Board and has provided pro bono legal services to the Alliance for Children’s Rights.
“I’m honored to serve as a member of the Police Commission and grateful to Mayor Garcetti for this opportunity to give back to a city that has done so much for me,” Briggs said. “This is an extraordinary moment to add my voice and perspective to the work of shaping L.A. into a model of … policing, fostering and building trust between our communities and law enforcement, and helping to ensure our city is a safer and more secure place for everyone who calls it home.”
