Nathan Hochman | |
|---|---|
.png) Official portrait, 2024 | |
| 44thDistrict Attorney of Los Angeles County | |
| Assumed office December 3, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | George Gascón |
| United States Assistant Attorney General for theTax Division | |
| In office January 22, 2008 – January 20, 2009 | |
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Eileen O'Connor |
| Succeeded by | Kathryn Keneally |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nathan Joseph Hochman (1963-11-26)November 26, 1963 (age 61) Los Angeles,California, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent (2023–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Republican (until 2023) |
| Education | Brown University (BA) Stanford University (JD) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Nathan Joseph Hochman[1] (born November 26, 1963)[2] is an American politician and attorney who has served as the 44thDistrict Attorney of Los Angeles County since 2024.[3] Hochman is a former federal prosecutor and Assistant U.S. Attorney General.[4][5]
Hochman served asUnited States Assistant Attorney General for theTax Division of theUnited States Department of Justice in 2008. Prior to that, Hochman was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California from 1990 to 1997, serving in the Criminal Division.[6] Hochman also had an extensive career in the private sector, as a partner of several nationwide firms and as a leading expert intax law,criminal defense, andenvironmental law, and prior to becoming district attorney, wasGeneral Counsel at Ross LLP.[7] Hochman was president of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission from 2011 to 2016.[8]
Hochman was theRepublican nominee in the2022 California Attorney General election. After becoming anindependent, he defeatedGeorge Gascón in2024 by a 20-point margin, becoming the 44th Los Angeles County District Attorney in a landslide.[9]
Nathan Hochman was born to Bruce Hochman (1929–2011), aUS Air Force veteran who was among the first graduating class ofUCLA School of Law, and Harriet Hochman, who was an active non-profit leader in Los Angeles.[10] His family isJewish.
Hochman graduated fromBeverly Hills High School in 1981,[11] then earned his Bachelor's degree fromBrown University (magna cum laude andPhi Beta Kappa) and hisJuris Doctor degree fromStanford Law School. At SLS, he served as the Executive Editor of Stanford Journal of International Law.[12]
After graduating, Hochmanclerked for United States District JudgeStephen V. Wilson in Los Angeles.[6] Soon after, Hochman became an Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California. In that role, Hochman prosecuted over 180 cases in the criminal division, securing convictions against corrupt public officials, human and narcotics traffickers, money launderers, and more.[13] Hochman also was the Environmental Crimes Coordinator for two years.[13]
As an Assistant US Attorney, Hochman spearheaded the Los Angeles Disaster Fraud Task Force which was formed in the wake of the1994 Northridge Earthquake and tasked with prosecuting criminals who defrauded the federal aid programs established for emergency relief.[14]
Hochman was a principal at Hochman, Salkin, Rettig, Toscher & Perez, PC, a law firm founded by his father, Bruce I. Hochman. Hochman joined the firm ofBingham McCutchen, LLP in 2009 as a partner and then became a partner atMorgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in 2014 when Bingham McCutchen combined with Morgan Lewis. At Morgan Lewis, he was the deputy chair of the White Collar Litigation and Government Investigations practice group.[15] In 2019, Hochman joined the firm of Browne George Ross LLP in its Century City branch office. Hochman was currentlygeneral counsel at Ross LLP.[7]
Hochman was appointed byPresident George W. Bush to serve as United States Assistant Attorney General, overseeing theTax Division of the United States Department of Justice. He wasunanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on December 19, 2007.[16]
As head of the Tax Division, Hochman oversaw the US Government's efforts to enforce federal tax law, particularly focused on bringing justice to individuals involved intax evasion, offshore tax sheltering,bankruptcy fraud, and overalltax fraud.[17]
Hochman was appointed byLos Angeles City AttorneyCarmen Trutanich to serve on the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission and was confirmed unanimously by the Los Angeles City Council.[18] His term ran from August 2011 to June 2016.[19] The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission is responsible for administering city and state law with regards to political campaigns, lobbying, contracting, and governmental ethics. As an Ethics Commissioner, Hochman spearheaded a proposal to provide cash incentives to boost voter turnout in special elections in the City of Los Angeles.[20] In 2014, he served as the president of the commission.[21]
Hochman was sworn into District Attorney on December 3, 2024 by actor and formerCalifornia governorArnold Schwarzenegger. Immediately upon taking office, he revoked several of Gascón's policies which had restricted prosecutors from pursuing the death penalty, requesting sentencing enhancements, and filing charges for misdemeanors such as drug possession and public intoxication.[22]
In a high profile decision made after his election, Hochman opposed ahabeas corpus petition forErik and Lyle Menendez requesting a new trial for the murder of their parents on the basis of claims that their father had sexually abused Erik,[23] and also opposed resentencing of the brothers stating that they had not disavowed the false statements made about the crimes, thus withdrawing Gascón's original filing.[24]
Hochman was the Republican nominee for the2022 California Attorney General election,[25] losing the election to DemocratRob Bonta.[26]
Hochman ran as an independent candidate forLos Angeles County District Attorney.[27] In the March 5, 2024, primary, Hochman advanced to the general election against incumbentGeorge Gascón.[28] On November 5, 2024, Hochman was elected as the 44th[29] District Attorney of Los Angeles County, taking over 59% of the vote.[9][30]
Nathan Hochman is married to Vivienne Vella and they have three children together. Hochman is an active community leader and volunteer, serving on the boards or holding leadership positions atCedars Sinai Medical Center, the Jewish Federation Council ofGreater Los Angeles,Stanford Law School, theBrandeis-Bardin Institute, theAmerican Jewish University, the Legal Services Division of the United Jewish Fund, and the Jewish Community Foundation.[13]
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Eileen O'Connor | United States Assistant Attorney General for theTax Division 2008–2009 | Succeeded by Kathryn Keneally |
| Preceded by | District Attorney of Los Angeles County 2024-present | Incumbent |