FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Upon Receipt
Contact: Andy Sywak 310-248-1039 Sywak@BeverlyHillsChamber.com

Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce Submits Letter of Concern to County and State Officials Concerning the Planned Closure of the Beverly Hills Courthouse Jan. 29, 2013 Beverly Hills In response to the recent announcement by Los Angeles County court officials to close the landmark Beverly Hills courthouse, the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter of concern today to County and State officials asking them to reconsider their proposed action. The following letter was submitted today to Assemblymember Richard Bloom, State Senator Ted Lieu, LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and other state and county officials: As representatives of the broader business community of Beverly Hills, we would like to express our concern over the proposed repurposing of the Beverly Hills Courthouse and the shuttering of all of its courtrooms. With over 250,000 visitors and 70,000 filings annually, the Courthouse is a well-utilized and vital civic institution that serves the essential legal needs of both residents and businesses in Beverly Hills. The planned closure of its courtrooms and the consolidation of many of its services to the Santa Monica Courthouse will result in limited access to the necessary court functions required by the Citys large business community. Although Beverly Hills is home to just 34,000 residents, over 200,000 people work here every weekday. Beverly Hills is home to a large number of law firms and has the fifth largest Bar Association in the state with 5,600 members. This Courthouse is centrally located within the Westside of Los Angeles and the estimated 18,000-20,000 legal professionals who practicing law here. We fear that the shuttering of all the courtrooms will have a negative impact upon a legal community that has been a traditional cornerstone of the Citys economy. The Chamber understands the unprecedented constraints placed upon the states budget and the need for austerity. However, we believe that the negative impact of closing this courthouse could cause a level of financial harm to the commercial life of the City greater than the savings achieved by closing it. The Chamber and the larger business community urge the Superior Court to reconsider the closure of the Courthouse and keep a full spectrum of legal options available for the public in Beverly Hills.

About the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce is the unrivaled authority of business advocating on its behalf, anticipating trends, advancing knowledge, creating innovative practices that inspire and invigorate, and embodying a professional conscience. The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce has been leading businesses to success since 1923. For more information visit www.BeverlyHillsChamber.com ###