MEET JOHN DURAN

Strongly Committed
to West Hollywood

John Duran is a native Angeleno and 36-year resident of West Hollywood. An attorney whose firm is based in West Hollywood, he has practiced law since 1987, focusing on civil rights issues, including HIV/AIDS law, LGBTQ+ rights, medical marijuana, and constitutional law. John earned his Juris Doctor from Western State University College of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, Long Beach.

John served as a West Hollywood City Councilmember for two decades, from 2001 through 2020, and served multiple terms as Mayor. During his 20 years on the City Council, he became one of the city’s most recognizable leaders. His election was a continuation of his long history of dedicated community service, and his tenure included initiating and co-sponsoring numerous ordinances, resolutions, and other actions that reflected West Hollywood’s innovative identity and helped establish the city as a model for communities across the country. The City of West Hollywood has specifically noted his role in initiating and co-sponsoring legislation reflecting the city’s innovative approach.

John was among the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. Coming from a close-knit Latino family, he was also the first person of color elected to the West Hollywood City Council and, to date, the city’s only Latino Council Member.