City Attorney’s Termination Comes with Six-Figure Price Tag

City Council's April 15 decision to fire City Attorney Phaedra Norton comes on the heels of her filing a whistleblower retaliation complaint against the city. Council members Philip Falcone, Clarissa Cervantes, Steven Robillard, Jim Perry and Steve Hemenway voted for the dismissal, while Chuck Conder and Sean Mill recused themselves from the action.

Riverside Spokesperson Phil Pitchford declined to provide a reason for her termination, citing it being a personnel matter. The Raincross Gazette reached out to Norton's attorney, Gregory Smith, and has not heard back.

Norton's employment contract states that the City Council can terminate her employment at any time, without cause, and without right to appeal. The contract grants Norton a month of severance pay for each year worked, up to six months of severance pay. Norton received $326,545 in regular pay in 2023, and was hired on July 20, 2021.

On February 14, 2023, at the city council's approval, Norton filed a legal petition on behalf of Riverside against Councilmember Charles Conder and ex-Councilmember Steven Adams. She accused Conder of providing Tony Platt, a litigant opposing the city over a leasing issue, with confidential information about the city's legal defense.

"Defendants have engaged in communications with the Platt representatives regarding the Platt litigation and have disclosed confidential communications to the Platt representatives. On January 14, 2021, Defendant Adams submitted a declaration in the Platt litigation that disclosed confidential attorney-client communications," her petition claims.

The petition asked for a court order to compel Conder and Adams not to share the city's legal strategies or confidential information with Platt.

Riverside Superior Judge Eric Keen paused the case February 10, 2025, to give the litigants 150 days to resolve the case through mediation. Senior Deputy City Attorney Debra Cook is listed as co-counsel with Norton on the case. Interim City Attorney Jack Liu declined to comment on the suit when reached by phone April 17, 2025 saying the office does not comment on active litigation.

On February 21, 2025, Norton filed a whistleblower complaint, alleging that Conder retaliated against her for filing the petition on behalf of Riverside.

"Subsequent to Plaintiff's protected disclosures, Conder set out to retaliate against Plaintiff. On March 28, 2023, Conder publicly attacked Plaintiff by impugning her integrity and criticizing her for filing the lawsuit against him as directed by the City Council. Following a positive performance review and merit increase by the City Council, Conder repeatedly attacked Plaintiff's performance and continued to undermine Plaintiff's reputation within the City," her complaint says.

In April, Norton claims she saw text messages in which Conder and Councilmember Sean Mill were attempting to gather support with new council members to terminate her, her complaint claims. The April 9, 2024 City Council Meeting ended in a unanimous agreement to give Norton a 5% pay increase and extend her contract for another four years.

"I want to thank Phaedra, our city attorney, for your work and leadership, to really helping to transform our city attorney's office. You took a department on that I think needed a great deal of undertaking, tension, work, and I'm really happy to see the change in morale that we're seeing. You've helped save us a lot of money by having us enhance the cases we brought in house, versus us having to pay extraordinary amounts that we have had to in past pay to go out, to other leadership services," Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes said at the meeting.

"As far as I am concerned, Our city attorney has met, at least my expectations. There's always a lot of things that I always complain about: 'Don't forget the westside. Don't forget about the westside.' She hasn't forgotten about the westside," said Councilmember Jim Perry.

"I think our city attorney has shown very sound leadership and management…Phaedra has been a champion for the city and for her staff, investing in staff development, she has deployed innovative strategies, and has been unafraid, which I think sets the standard for other cities," said then Councilmember Erin Edwards.

On June 11, 2024, the city council voted in a 3% pay increase and a two-year extension for Norton. The agreement passed 4-2, without discussing, and with Conder and Mill dissenting. Cervantes was not present. Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Hemenway said the contract deliberation was a continued item from the April 9, 2025 meeting.

"Very simply, this is a continued item from April 9, that was discussed and further reviewed by City Council," Hemenway said.

"I think we've tried to gather all the input, and I'll just move to approve," Hemenway said after public comment.

Norton's complaint claims the deduction in the raise was a form of retaliation brought by Conder.

"On or about April 9, 2024, Conder obtained sufficient support within the City Council to reconsider and change the terms of Plaintiff's employment contract with the City. As such, her employment term was reduced from four years to two years, her merit increase was reduced from 5% to 3%, and her deferred Compensation Plan was reduced," her complaint said.

Both Conder and Mill recused themselves from voting on Norton's termination.

Norton was hired to a three-year term on July 20, 2021. On July 11, 2024, the city decided 4-2 to extend the contract until July 20, 2026. Mill and Conder dissented, and Cervantes was not present.

Norton served as a municipal attorney in Modesto, then as Turlock City Attorney from 2008 until 2018, and Merced City Attorney from 2018 until 2021.

The Turlock Journal reported in 2018 that City Manager Gary Hampton received a $39,000 settlement for a hostile work environment claim he made against Turlock, with Norton as a named defendant. The Turlock Journal described her time as lauded.

"Phaedra Norton is one of the finest city attorneys in the region. It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside her, but I am happy for the new opportunities that have come her way. Phaedra will be missed by her entire Turlock community," said then-mayor Gary Soiseth, the Turlock Journal reported.

Assistant City Attorney Jack Liu, who has served as interim city attorney since September, will continue in that role until the council selects a replacement. The council has a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2025 to consider candidates for the interim city attorney position.