Downey hires John Funk as city attorney

John Funk will start as Downey’s new full-time city attorney on Sept. 18. (Photo by Alex Dominguez)

DOWNEY — Downey will hire John Funk as its new city attorney, effective next Monday, Sept. 18.

Funk will earn a salary of $238,442 per year, plus a $300 auto allowance per month and other fringe benefits.

His employment agreement includes a lump sum payment of nine months base salary and medical benefits for termination without cause.

Currently serving as the chief assistant city attorney for the City of Santa Ana, Funk brings with him 24 years of legal experience working for different municipal agencies.

The Downey City Council approved Funk’s employment at their meeting Tuesday.

Mayor Pro Tem Mario Trujillo publicly welcomed Funk, noting that he was “homegrown.”

“He actually grew up in this city, and this is a big moment for our city to have you come back and represent us now as our city attorney,” said Trujillo.

Funk graduated from Downey High School in 1987.

The city attorney position is one of the last holes that need to be filled at the city’s administrative level, following the departure of Yvette Abich Garcia in 2022.

Since her resignation, the city has operated with an interim attorney.