Celine Cordero

Celine Cordero
Celine Cordero

Celine Cordero

Executive Vice President

Celine Cordero brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across local, state, and federal government, paired with deep expertise in media relations, crisis communications, and litigation communications. Her career reflects a rare blend of legal training, executive decision-making, and hands-on political acumen, making her an invaluable strategist for public affairs, government advocacy, and crisis response.

Most recently, Celine served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, overseeing deputy mayors responsible for communications, public safety, community safety, and economic opportunity, helping to drive citywide strategies at the highest level of municipal government.

Previously, as Director of External Affairs for Los Angeles World Airports, she managed community relations and air service development, strengthening the city’s global connectivity while ensuring meaningful community engagement. During Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s administration, Celine held several senior roles, including Deputy Mayor for Legislative and Intergovernmental Relations, where she directed the city’s legislative agenda across local, state, and federal levels and built critical coalitions with policymakers. She also served as Associate Director of the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Public Safety, coordinating efforts across law enforcement, emergency management, and public safety agencies. Earlier in her career, she served as a Legislative Aide in the California State Assembly and as a Field Director for the California Democratic Party.

Celine’s commitment to civic leadership extends beyond government. She is a Marshall Memorial Fellow, TELACU Scholar, and Jesse Marvin Unruh State Assembly Fellow. She has contributed her expertise to numerous civic boards, including the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, the Long Beach Mayor’s Education Fund, the Mexican American Bar Association, and the Latina Lawyers Bar Association.

She holds a B.A. in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach, and a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law. She is an active member of the California State Bar.

Los Angeles News & Updates from EKA – October 31, 2025

EKA News

EKA Spotlight

EKA Managing Partner Kellie Hawkins and Intern Lawrence Sung joined our client, Amity Foundation for their 3rd Annual Brunch on October 11. 

Amity Foundation’s mission is to empower underprivileged communities to improve health, and promote environmental, social, and economic justice.

EKA was happy to sponsor Hope the Mission and attend its gala honoring Dave Grohl who barbecues for 1,000 people again and again.

Hope the Mission’s Annual Gala celebrates the collective impact while raising the funds to provide shelter, warm meals, and life-changing services to thousands of participants.

Key Updates

LA County Mobilizes Food Assistance as Federal Government Shutdown Continues

More than 1.5 million children and adults are within days of being cut off from their CalFresh food benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, so LA County and its partners are mobilizing to meet residents’ needs by surging food assistance resources throughout the County. Resources for residents can be found here – https://lacounty.gov/2025/10/28/la-county-mobilizes-food-assistance-as-federal-government-shutdown-continues/. 

California insurers set to charge homeowners for L.A. County fire costs

California homeowners will see new surcharges averaging about fifty dollars on their insurance bills, after state regulators allowed major carriers like State Farm, Farmers, and Mercury to recover portions of a one billion dollar assessment linked to claims from the January Palisades and Eaton fires that destroyed nearly thirteen thousand homes. The fees, spread over two years, are intended to help insurers offset payments made to the state’s FAIR Plan, which was overwhelmed by four billion dollars in losses. Consumer Watchdog has sued Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, arguing the surcharges amount to an illegal bailout and were imposed without proper rulemaking.

What's Happening in LA

Spotlight Item

L.A. County extends rent limits amid emergencies tied to fire and ICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday is expected to extend the 10% wildfire-related rent cap while adding a new allowance for Immigration and Customs Enforcement-related displacement, continuing emergency rent control measures first implemented in response to the January 2025 wildfires. The extension of the rent cap addresses ongoing housing displacement challenges facing Los Angeles County residents. The Board’s action reflects continued efforts to protect vulnerable residents from rent gouging during periods of housing crisis and emergency displacement, while also acknowledging the connection between various types of forced displacement including those related to federal immigration enforcement actions. The rent limitation measures represent one component of the County’s broader emergency response to address the housing stability needs of displaced residents while the region continues long-term wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts.

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