Los Angeles County recently took a positive step toward supporting working families by launching a Paid Family Leave (PFL) Pilot Program. The program reflects values County leaders have long said they champion: family stability, workplace fairness, and the recognition that public servants perform their best work when they are supported during critical moments in their lives.

As currently structured, however, the pilot program excludes many frontline County employees for a single reason: they are represented by a union. That exclusion raises important questions about fairness, workforce stability, and the long-term impact on the public services County residents rely on every day.

The Association of Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) has engaged County leadership on this issue. We recently met with Supervisor Kathryn Barger and have an upcoming meeting scheduled with Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s team to discuss how the program can better align with its stated goals. These conversations reflect a shared interest in strengthening County policies in a thoughtful, responsible way.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman has also raised this issue directly with the Board of Supervisors. In a letter sent on behalf of his office, he urged the County to consider allowing Deputy District Attorneys access to the PFL pilot program, emphasizing that recruitment, retention, and employee well-being are operational concerns that directly affect public safety and the administration of justice.

A Program Funded Largely by the Employees Who Use It

The PFL pilot program allows participating employees to use their own after-tax earnings to replace income during significant life events, such as welcoming a new child, recovering from childbirth, caring for a seriously ill family member, or managing added parenting responsibilities during a spouse’s or partner’s military deployment. The County’s own Chief Executive Office has described the program’s costs to date as “negligible,” with employees covering a substantial portion of the benefit themselves and administrative systems already in place.

Therefore, the decision to exclude union-represented employees was not driven by fiscal necessity. It is a policy choice within a program that was designed to support working families and strengthen the County workforce.

The Impact on Families and Public Service

Paid family leave is not a luxury benefit. It allows employees to recover from medical events, care for loved ones, and maintain family stability without facing severe financial hardship. When employees lack access to income replacement during these periods, they often face an unfair and unhealthy choice: return to work earlier than medically or emotionally appropriate or take unpaid leave that places their families under additional financial strain.

Those pressures do not stay confined to individual households. In the District Attorney’s Office, they affect morale, retention, and, most importantly for our community, continuity in the justice system. Like many public-sector offices across California and the nation, the DA’s Office faces recruitment and staffing challenges in an increasingly competitive legal labor market. Federal agencies and private employers routinely offer more robust family-supportive benefits, and Los Angeles County is already operating well below staff capacity. When experienced attorneys leave public service, the impact is felt in courtrooms and communities across the County.

The PFL pilot program was intended to address precisely these kinds of challenges. Extending access to union-represented employees would further the program’s purpose, not undermine it.

The Path Forward

The Board of Supervisors has clear options available. It can amend the pilot program to let in union-represented employees, or it can direct that paid family leave access be resolved through open bargaining with affected unions. Either approach would preserve the integrity of the pilot program while ensuring that access to family-supportive benefits does not depend solely on whether one is or is not represented by a union.
ADDA remains committed to finding a fair, fiscally responsible solution. Paid family leave is not about special treatment. It is about maintaining a stable, experienced workforce capable of delivering consistent public service.

Los Angeles County has an opportunity to complete the work it began by ensuring that all employees who serve the public have access to support during life’s most critical moments. Doing so would strengthen families, improve retention, and ultimately benefit the communities we all serve.

Ryan Erlich is President of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys. The Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) serves as the collective bargaining agent for more than 700 Deputy District Attorneys employed by the County of Los Angeles. 

Los Angeles, CA, January 29, 2025  – The Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) announces that Michele Hanisee has stepped down as President of the ADDA after eight years of exemplary service, as she takes on a new role in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office as Special Assistant in charge of Legislative Affairs.

Elected to five consecutive terms, Michele’s tenure as President is marked by transformative achievements that elevated the ADDA’s profile and solidified its reputation as a trusted and influential labor organization in Southern California. Under her leadership, the ADDA established itself as a bipartisan authority on public policy and a compelling voice on issues affecting public safety.

“Michele’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the ADDA into a labor organization that has consistently fought above its weight class, advocating tirelessly for Deputy District Attorneys and the pursuit of justice,” said Ryan Erlich, President of the ADDA.

During her presidency, Michele championed the rights and interests of her fellow Deputy District Attorneys, skillfully navigating a challenging four-year period under the administration of former District Attorney George Gascón. With the support of a strong Board, she led the ADDA to significant accomplishments, including:

• Enhancing the ADDA’s Influence: The ADDA became widely recognized for providing factual, persuasive, and authoritative content that shaped public discourse and informed critical debates on public policy.
• Building a Reputation for Excellence: The ADDA earned respect as a reliable source of accurate and compelling information, gaining credibility with the public, community leaders, policymakers, and law enforcement officials.
• Fostering Stakeholder Engagement: Michele prioritized continuous communication with stakeholders, ensuring the ADDA’s voice was heard in discussions that matter most to public safety and justice.

Under Michele’s stewardship, the ADDA’s influence extended far beyond traditional labor organization roles. Its contributions to public policy debates ensured that policymakers and the public were equipped with clear, fact-based arguments on issues impacting safety and justice in Los Angeles County.

“Michele has been a trailblazer for our union, setting a standard for dedication, integrity, and vision,” said Amy Pentz, ADDA Vice President. “Her commitment to justice and to her colleagues has left an indelible mark on the ADDA and the community we serve.”

As Michele transitions to her new role in the DA’s office, the ADDA celebrates her legacy and looks forward to continuing her mission of ensuring justice and public safety remain at the forefront of public policy.

Media Contact:  Eric Rose Eric@ekapr.com

About the ADDA

The Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) is the collective bargaining agent representing nearly 800 Deputy District Attorneys working for the County of Los Angeles.

By Michele Hanisee

When George Gascón swept into office four years ago, he did so with community support for what he called “reforms.” Experienced prosecutors recognized them for what they were: abstract promises and untested experiments. Gascon’s “reforms” crashed and burned, in part because he refused to seek buy-in from or heed the advice of the seasoned attorneys within his office. His failures weren’t purely academic; they pushed our communities to their breaking point.   Now the dust has settled on the election, and the voters have made it clear that they prioritize public safety over misguided policy. More importantly, they have unambiguously said that they are done with George Gascón.

But what the citizens of Los Angeles will never know is how much worse it would have and could have been, but for the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the 700-plus career prosecutors in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.

When Gascón rolled into town from San Francisco in late 2019, he did so with unvarnished contempt for these attorneys. When he was taking office, he diverted resources from trial units to his pet projects, forcing already-strapped line prosecutors to do more with much, much less. He retaliated against anyone who questioned his policies or his management style. He passed qualified people over for promotion and installed political allies in positions of power.  He transferred those who questioned him to lesser assignments. The implicit and explicit messaging was clear — get with his program or get exiled.

Hobbled as they were, our DAs didn’t give up. They had cases to handle, ethical and legal obligations to uphold, and victims of crime to comfort. So they did whatever was in their power to do. They got creative. They worked nights and weekends. They threaded the loopholes of policy. They stuck their necks out, knowing (sadly) that doing the right thing and following the law could upset Gascon and hurt their careers.

They fought for justice, one case at a time, one victim at a time, one day at a time. They kept the boat afloat when Gascón was trying to sink it. For four long years.

I was in the office and court the morning after Election Day 2024. What I saw was surprising but also *not* surprising. No one was burning Gascon in effigy. I didn’t see anyone jubilantly celebrating the imminent departure of the man who had treated them with so much contempt and who had made their jobs – jobs they loved – so difficult for the last four years. Instead, I saw true professional prosecutors going to court, picking juries, conducting trials, interviewing witnesses, and diligently continuing the day-to-day work of keeping the justice system running. In a moment when they could have been popping champagne corks, these humble, stolid public servants had their shoulders to the yoke, again.

I could not have been prouder of my colleagues.

This is for them.

Michele Hanisee is President of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys, the collective bargaining agent representing nearly 900 Deputy District Attorneys.

November 6, 2024 – The Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) congratulates Nathan Hochman on his election as Los Angeles County District Attorney.

Hochman’s victory marks a pivotal moment in the fight to return balance and accountability to the justice system and to prioritize public safety in a county that has seen a dangerous decline under the failed leadership of George Gascón.

We look forward to working with a leader who has promised to put justice and public safety ahead of politics and partisanship, uphold the law, prioritize crime victims, treat our members with dignity and respect, and work with our union and our colleagues, constructively and in good faith, on issues related to wages, hours, and working conditions.

About the ADDA
The Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) is the collective bargaining agent representing nearly 800 Deputy District Attorneys working for the County of Los Angeles.

By Michele Hanisee

L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón has once again demonstrated his opportunism, announcing that he will decide on the potential resentencing of the Menendez brothers by the end of the week—not based on any new developments in the case, but seemingly to grab media attention. Throughout his disastrous tenure as DA, Gascón has consistently prioritized celebrity cases over the rights of crime victims, showing more interest in being in the spotlight than in upholding justice.

While Gascón claims that his office is “divided” on the possible resentencing of the Menendez brothers, the reality is that he has no real sense of how his prosecutors feel because he is woefully out of touch with them. Despite running on a platform of transparency, Gascón has repeatedly broken that promise by refusing to engage with his own deputies and failing to respond to freedom of information act requests. These actions are part of a broader pattern of secrecy and disengagement exemplified by his frequent absence from his office. Gascón seems to be more interested in maintaining appearances and making TikTok videos in front of empty bookshelves than fostering accountability or collaboration.

What’s worse, Gascón has consistently demonstrated selective compassion, displaying blatant disregard for the rights of crime victims. His lack of care for their Constitutional protections is appalling, and his focus on high-profile cases is driven by his desire for television appearances rather than justice. He has repeatedly shown that his concern lies not with the victims or the community but with the chance to score political points and raise his profile.

George Gascón’s actions make it clear that he is more interested in using his office for free media attention than in actual justice. His self-serving agenda has left victims and their families neglected while he chases the next headline.

Michele Hanisee is President of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys, the collective bargaining agent representing nearly 900 Deputy District Attorneys.

City of West Hollywood, City Council

George Nickle

 

City of Los Angeles, District 4

Ethan Weaver

 

Judicial Seat No. 39

Jacob Lee

Steve Napolitano

 

Judicial Seat No. 48

Renee Rose

Judicial Seat No. 93

Victor Avila (WON)

 

Judicial Seat No. 97

Sam Abourched

Sharon Ransom

 

Judicial Seat No. 115

Keith Koyano

Christmas Brookens

 

Judicial Seat No. 130

Leslie Gutierrez

 

Judicial Seat No. 135

Georgia Huerta

Steven Yee Mac

Judicial Seat No. 137

Tracey Blount

By Michele Hanisee

The release of Shanice Dyer, once charged with two brutal murders and now accused of yet another killing, is the latest and most painful chapter in Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón’s tenure. A tenure marked by the betrayal of the public trust, the abandonment of victims, and a total disregard for accountability and justice. Gascón’s policies, designed to rectify perceived systemic imbalances, have instead endangered the community by coddling violent offenders like Dyer, who should never have been given the chance to claim yet another life.

In November 2019, Shanice Dyer, then just 17, was charged with the premeditated murders of Jose Flores and Alfredo Carrera. These were not random killings. Dyer, a member of the East Coast Crips, shot these men in cold blood simply because they were in a rival gang’s territory. Flores, a PhD candidate in astrophysics at the University of California, Irvine, had just accepted a job with NASA. He was delivering a baby shower gift to his lifelong friend Carrera when Dyer drove by, opened fire, and left both men dead in the street. Flores’ promising career, his contributions to science, and his potential to inspire future generations were wiped out in an instant. Carrera, whose only crime was living in a neighborhood claimed by gang members, was gunned down before his pregnant fiancée’s eyes. Another innocent bystander, a father shielding his infant daughter from the gunfire, was shot in the back.

The case against Dyer was ironclad. She admitted to pulling the trigger. The murder weapon was linked to her, and it was clear she acted to further the interests of her gang. Under previous District Attorney Jackie Lacey, prosecutors filed a petition to try Dyer as an adult—a logical decision given the heinous nature of the crime and the fact that Dyer was nearly 18 at the time. But as the case moved through the court system, the pandemic delayed proceedings. And then George Gascón was elected District Attorney.

On his first day in office in December 2020, Gascón unleashed a series of special directives that shook the foundations of justice in Los Angeles County. One of those directives prohibited prosecutors from seeking the transfer of juveniles, no matter how violent or egregious their crimes, to adult court. Shanice Dyer’s case was immediately affected. In a meeting with the victims’ families just three days after Gascón took office, prosecutors informed them that the petition to try Dyer as an adult would be withdrawn. Flores’ and Carrera’s families were devastated. The justice they had hoped for, the accountability they deserved, was stripped away without warning or recourse.

The decision to treat Dyer as a juvenile meant that even if convicted of double murder, she could have been released from juvenile detention by age 25. This was not justice. This was an insult to the victims, their families, and the community. Attorney Kathy Cady, representing the victims’ families, filed writs and appeals to challenge Gascón’s policies,

but they were met with resistance every step of the way. Gascón, in his unwavering commitment to his ideology, refused to budge. He claimed he was motivated by the need to rectify racial imbalances in the criminal justice system, but in doing so, he completely ignored the rights and safety of the victims and their families. The people Gascón was sworn to protect.

Tragedy Strikes Another Family

Now, Shanice Dyer stands accused of murder once again. In June 2024, just four years after her involvement in the Flores and Carrera murders, Dyer is alleged to have aided and abetted two fellow East Coast Crip gang members in the murder of 21-year-old Joshua Streeter. Streeter was gunned down in a parking lot at the Indian Hill Mall Indoor Swap Meet in Pomona. Dyer, who should have been incarcerated for life, was free—thanks to Gascón’s policies—and now another family is grieving the loss of their loved one. Streeter’s death could have been prevented, but Gascón’s commitment to releasing violent criminals like Dyer back onto the streets has once again resulted in tragedy.

The failure here is not just Gascón’s policies, but his philosophy. The very foundation of justice is built upon accountability and ensuring that those who commit heinous acts are held responsible. Gascón has undermined this core principle repeatedly. By issuing blanket policies that prevent prosecutors from seeking adult trials for juveniles—no matter the crime—Gascón has effectively tied the hands of those who are supposed to ensure justice is served. He has issued directives that violate victims’ constitutional rights, stripped prosecutors of their discretion to evaluate cases based on their merits, and prioritized ideology and theory over the safety and well-being of the community.

The cost of Gascón’s ideology is measured in blood. It is measured in the lost potential of people like Jose Flores, who could have contributed to society in immeasurable ways. It is measured in the grief of families who will never see their loved ones again. And it is measured in the growing sense of fear and frustration felt by communities throughout Los Angeles County, who watch helplessly as violent criminals are released with little to no accountability.

The case of Shanice Dyer is not an isolated incident. It is part of an exceptionally large pattern of failure that has defined George Gascón’s tenure as District Attorney. Since taking office, Gascón has systematically dismantled the tools prosecutors need to hold criminals accountable. He has repealed California’s sentencing enhancement laws, issued blanket policies that prevent prosecutors from performing their duties under the law, and prioritized the rights of criminals over the rights of victims. In doing so, he has betrayed his oath of office and abandoned the people of Los Angeles.

As Shanice Dyer’s latest case moves through the court system, one can only hope that justice will finally be served. But the damage has already been done. Another life has been lost, another family shattered, and the community left wondering how many more must suffer before real change is made. George Gascón may have been motivated by a desire to “fix the system”, but in his rigid and inflexible approach, he has only made it worse. It is time for the people of Los Angeles to demand accountability—not just from those who commit violent crimes, but from those in power who enable them. Gascón must be held responsible for the harm he has caused, and his policies must be reversed before more innocent lives are lost.

Michele Hanisee is President of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys, the collective bargaining agent representing nearly 900 Deputy District Attorneys who work for the County of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles, September 11, 2024  –The Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) has filed a new lawsuit against Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, accusing him of repeatedly and deliberately violating the California Public Records Act (CPRA), the state’s counterpart to the federal Freedom of Information Act. Representing over 750 Deputy District Attorneys, the ADDA asserts that Gascón’s ongoing refusal to comply with the law contradicts his public commitment to transparency.

The complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court outlines numerous instances where CPRA requests to the Custodian of Records in Gascón’s office were either improperly rejected or completely ignored. The ADDA documents how Gascón repeatedly cited unfounded and non-existent legal justifications for evading his legal obligations and withholding critical public records.

Michele Hanisee, President of the ADDA, remarked, “It’s deeply troubling that we are once again forced to take legal action simply to obtain public documents that should be readily available.”

Ryan Erlich, Vice President of the ADDA, added, “The California Public Records Act clearly mandates that public agencies must promptly provide access to public records without unnecessary delays. Yet, George Gascón has consistently violated the law by unlawfully delaying and obstructing the process.”

This lawsuit marks yet another chapter in the ADDA’s ongoing efforts to hold DA Gascón accountable for transparency failures that undermine public trust. The ADDA is represented by Green & Shinee and The Gibbons Firm in this legal action. A copy of the lawsuit is can be downloaded here.

By Michele Hanisee

As Ryan Erlich highlighted in April, George Gascón’s administration continues to reveal a troubling double standard regarding accountability. This double standard is particularly evident in the case of Diana Teran.

Diana Teran, who was appointed by Gascón to serve as the “Ethics and Integrity Advisor” to the largest local prosecutorial office in the nation, is currently charged with six felonies. Despite a judge finding probable cause to support these charges, Teran remains on the public payroll, earning a hefty $320,000 annually—plus benefits. In fact, Teran has collected over $60,000 in pay and “flex earnings” since charges were filed. This situation demonstrates a glaring lack of judgment within Gascón’s administration and a lack of accountability when it comes to his political appointees.

The charges against Teran stem from her alleged violations of Penal Code section 502(c)(2), which involve accessing and using computer data without permission. If convicted on all six counts, she faces approximately five years in custody. Yet, despite these serious allegations, Gascón refuses to sideline Teran, and she continues to occupy a key position within the District Attorney’s Office.

Gascón has refused to provide records in response to six separate public records act requests by the Association of Deputy District Attorneys for records relating to Teran, including a request to find out whether Teran was still on salary after being charged and what privileged and private data she still has access to.

Teran’s salary records were provided to pro bono victim’s advocate Kathleen Cady, who also filed a public records request. The records reveal that Teran’s pay has not been interrupted since the charges were filed. This blatant disregard for accountability and justice stands in stark contrast to how Gascón’s administration has treated other members of the office who have dared to question or challenge the status quo.

A closer look at Gascón’s history shows a pattern of retribution against those who raise concerns. In one instance, an experienced branch court supervisor was ordered to dismiss a politically sensitive case just hours after Gascón took office in 2020. When the supervisor questioned the legal basis for the order, he was removed from his position and transferred to a dead-end assignment, ultimately leading to a lawsuit that cost the County nearly $1 million.

In another case, a group of veteran prosecutors warned Gascón about critical staffing shortages in the VIP unit, which oversees sex crimes and domestic violence cases. When their memo was leaked to the press, Gascón dissolved the unit and reassigned the authors to less prominent roles. This response demonstrates Gascón’s tendency to silence dissent rather than address legitimate concerns.

The double standard becomes even more glaring when comparing Teran’s case to other high-ranking Gascón administration officials. For instance, Chief Deputy Joseph F. Iniguez, arrested for public intoxication in December 2021, has faced no apparent consequences. In the recording of the incident, which ihas since been released, Iniguez can be seen telling the officers, “run our plates, dawg” in an attempt to make sure the officers know he works for the District Attorney and should therefore receive special treatment. He later allegedly threatened the officer with potentially career-ending placement on the “Brady” list. Yet Iniguez still serves as Gascón’s closest advisor and has received significant increases in compensation since the incident.

This pattern of leniency for Gascón’s inner circle while punishing those who challenge his authority is deeply troubling. It raises critical questions about the integrity of the District Attorney’s Office and whether Gascón is truly committed to the principles of justice and accountability.

As the case against Diana Teran progresses, it is essential to ask what Gascón knew about the investigation and when he knew it. Did he promote Teran to the Ethics and Integrity Advisor position, knowing that she was under investigation? What steps has the District Attorney’s Office taken to ensure that Teran’s alleged wrongdoing does not affect other cases under her supervision, such as People v. Rebecca Grossman?

The public deserves answers to these questions, and Gascón must address this growing crisis head-on. The stakes are too high to allow this situation to be swept under the rug. Angelenos have a right to know why their District Attorney will not hold his office leadership to the same standards he expects from his prosecutors.

The ongoing situation with Diana Teran is another test of Gascón’s leadership and commitment to justice. Thus far, he has been unwilling to hold Teran to the same standards he does others in office, and she has received the same lenient treatment as others in his inner circle. He has further eroded any pretense of accountability by refusing to comply with the Public Records Act, which is the state version of the Freedom of Information Act.

Gascón’s failure to act decisively and transparently in this matter has further eroded trust in an administration already marred by controversy. There can be no room for double standards in a system where accountability is paramount. It is time for George Gascón to show that his commitment to justice applies equally to all, regardless of their position or proximity to power.

Michele Hanisee is President of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys, the collective bargaining agent representing nearly 800 Deputy District Attorneys who work for the County of Los Angeles.

Deputy District Attorneys Ryan Gould and Jamie Castro have done excellent work on this challenging and heart-breaking case. And we are grateful to their supervisor, Garrett Dameron, for supporting them in that effort. We are proud to work alongside each of them.

The District Attorney’s decision to sideline these talented, dedicated, career prosecutors from this case on the eve of crucial post-trial motions undermines their efforts and those of the entire prosecution team. It is also hurtful and insensitive to the Iskander family.

The District Attorney and his Chief Deputy, Joseph F. Iniguez, made this decision only after the assigned prosecutors sought to investigate an apparent ethical conflict involving defense counsel, the defendant, and Diana Teran, a supervisor in our office.

This raises many troubling questions, beginning with why wouldn’t the District Attorney let these prosecutors file this motion? Is the District Attorney worried that Teran would be called as a witness and obligated, under oath, to answer questions about office operations? Is he afraid such testimony or questioning may lead to inquiries into other decisions and cases that Teran oversaw?

Two weeks ago, after the Attorney General charged Teran with eleven felonies, we called on the District Attorney to address questions about Teran sooner rather than later, and preferably in a live public press conference.

We’re still waiting, and so is Los Angeles.

With every passing day, it seems increasingly clear that this administration cares more about advancing and protecting their own narrow political interests than doing the right thing.