A proven and dynamic leader in Los Angeles, Wendy Greuel brings an unparalleled and deep understanding of navigating complex business issues as well as local and state government in California
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, a multidisciplinary, integrated professional services firm, announced today former Los Angeles City Controller, Councilmember and mayoral candidate Wendy J. Greuel has joined as a national advisor in the Firm’s Los Angeles office. Drawing on her years of leadership experience within the political arenas for one of the nation’s largest and most populous cities, Greuel will be a strategic partner to clients working in Los Angeles as they navigate complex regulatory and policy issues involving local and state government.
“Wendy is a true problem solver for clients across various industries—from financial services to health care, entertainment and real estate—offering deep knowledge of the sophisticated Los Angeles government landscape for companies at the intersection of government and policy,” said Donna L. Wilson, CEO and Managing Partner of Manatt. “Her impressive leadership background, consulting skillset and commitment to her community will make her a phenomenal partner for our clients both in California and throughout the country as she advises them on navigating the delicate and ever-changing regulatory environment.”
Greuel joins a national Manatt government and regulatory platform with renowned legal, advisory and consulting professionals who hail from all corners of government and private practice in many of the most influential political hubs in the country, ranging from Sacramento to Albany, New York City and Washington, D.C. In Los Angeles specifically, she will be part of a team with deep roots in local government, including Partner Kathleen L. Brown, who served as California state treasurer, and Partner George D. Kieffer, who previously chaired the City of Los Angeles Appointed Commission charged with rewriting the City’s Charter.
At Manatt, Greuel will serve as a trusted adviser to executives and organizations as they operate within the evolving regulatory landscape, including providing leadership on civic engagement initiatives. Additionally, she will provide dispute resolution and management, building on her expansive experience with California’s local governments and beyond to help clients be responsible and effective partners.
“A respected powerhouse in Los Angeles, Wendy has a depth of experience as a former elected official she can draw on to provide invaluable guidance to clients needing solutions to complex problems at almost every level of local government,” said Brandon D. Young, partner and leader of Manatt’s Government and Regulatory practice. “She is a thought leader who has long been at the cutting edge of policy and innovation through her groundbreaking work in the Los Angeles City Controller’s Office, and her commitment to building partnerships with local government is very much in the tradition of our Manatt Government practice and will be a boon to our clients across the nation.”
Greuel is most notably known for being the second woman to be elected to a citywide office in Los Angeles, serving as City Controller from 2009 to 2013, and the first woman to be a runoff candidate for Mayor. During her tenure in office, one of her biggest accomplishments was her audit of the city’s finances, discovering more than $160 million in alleged waste and fraud. Before being elected as City Controller, Greuel served on the Los Angeles City Council, where she was President Pro Tempore, chair of the Transportation and Ad-Hoc Business Tax Reform Committees, vice chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, and also a member of the Audits and Governmental Efficiency and Energy and Environment Committees. Additionally, she previously acted as an executive for the government and community affairs division of a leading American film company and distribution label.
“Manatt is one of the most reputable firms in Los Angeles, with a long-standing tradition of both impactful civic engagement and tremendous partnership on behalf of clients with local, state and federal government,” Greuel said. “I’m proud to join this incredible team of legal and consulting professionals, some of whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past, as we partner to bring the future of local government to the forefront of innovation and excellence.”
Greuel is the latest addition to Manatt’s expanding roster of legal and consulting professionals, closely following on the heels of Manatt Health Partner Edo Banach, joining in Washington, D.C., and Boston Trial Partners Joan A. Lukey and Marty F. Murphy. Other 2023 hires include Privacy and Data Security Partner Paul H. Luehr; Land Use Partner Fernando Villa, who also joined in Los Angeles; Consumer Protection Partner Bezalel (Bez) Stern; Government and Regulatory Partner Cassie M. Prugh in Albany; and Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement Counsel Sherli Furst, as well as Manatt Health arrivals such as Partner Nicholas (Nick) Bath Jr., National Advisor Dr. Troyen (Troy) A. Brennan, Senior Advisor Shelli Silver, Counsel Julia E. Smith and Director Tracy A. Massel.
Greuel received her B.A. in political science and government from the University of California, Los Angeles.