Newport Beach Chooses New Attorney

The Newport Beach City Council has named a new city attorney to fill the post left behind by David Hunt.

Aaron C. Harp is returning to Newport Beach following more than two years of working for the city of Anaheim, where he served as the senior assistant city attorney. He was the assistant city attorney in Newport Beach from 2005 to 2009.

“We are extremely pleased to have Aaron back with us," Mayor Mike Henn said. "I expect Aaron to be able to quickly get up to speed on the many municipal legal issues we address, from group homes to the airport, to tidelands and the Coastal Commission, to planning and land use.”

Harp will start his new job in Newport Beach on Sept. 6 and will earn $210,000 per year, with a $500-per-month car allowance. 

Harp was previously a partner with the law firm of Aleshire and Wynder LLP and an associate with the law firm of Burke, Williams, and Sorensen LLP, where he focused on advising cities and representing them in litigation matters. He also served with the city of San Diego as deputy city attorney in the civil- and criminal-practice areas.

Harp earned a juris doctorate from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from San Diego State University. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1997.