EDUCATION

Loyola Law School

J.D., Class of 1989

University of California, Los Angeles  

B.A., Class of 1986

ADMISSIONS

California State Bar, 1989

 

Mark D. Hensley

Mr. Hensley has represented public agencies for approximately 25 years. He has extensive experience in representing public agencies in all aspects of transactional and litigious matters. 

Mr. Hensley serves as City Attorney for the following California cities:

  • City of El Segundo – August 1996 to present; Assistant City Attorney: July 1995 to July 1996

  • City of Chino Hills – October 1995 to present; Assistant City Attorney: December 1994 to October 1995

  • City of Delano - October 2023 to present

  • City of Monterey Park – June 2009 to 2020

  • City of Port Hueneme – September 2001 to 2017

In addition, Mr. Hensley served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Monterey Park and served as the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Downey from January 1994 to March 1996.

Mr. Hensley was with Jenkins & Hogin, LLP from 2004 to April 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Hensley was a partner at the Los Angeles law firm of Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP, which he joined in December 1989, and where he was made partner in December 1995.

While Mr. Hensley was at Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP he served in the following management positions and roles:

  • Chair of the Public Law Practice Group - July 1997 to April 2003

  • Personnel Committee Member - September 1998 to 2003

  • Management Committee Member- July 1997 to December 1999 

Prior to his City Attorney appointments, Mr. Hensley gained significant experience in all aspects of litigation, including: drafting and responding to discovery; researching and drafting motions; and taking and defending depositions, including expert depositions. He also served as lead counsel in trials, arbitrations, and administrative hearings. His experience includes significant inverse condemnation, finance and tax, public works, land use, tort, LAFCO, personnel and labor, and contract matters. 

Mr. Hensley has extensive experience in assisting public agencies in putting together complex land use transactions, including aerospace industry developments, large office complexes, mixed-use projects, big box retail developments, lifestyle centers and commercial sports complexes.

Mr. Hensley previously served on the Legal Advocacy Committee for the League of California Cities and as President of the City Attorneys' Association of Los Angeles County. His professional presentations and papers include:

Professional Rules of Conduct – Selected Conflict Issues

  • Greater Inland Empire Municipal Law Association

  • County Counsel Association

  • City Attorney Association for Los Angeles County

Brown Act – Selected Topics

  • City Attorney Association for Los Angeles County

  • Contract Cities

Proposition 218

  • California League of Cities, Inland Empire Division

Mr. Hensley also served as an extern for the Honorable William J. Rea of the Federal Central District Court of California from January through June 1988.