The Commissioner Who Says Rent Control “Doesn’t Work”

It started with an op‑ed on WEHOonline about National Night Out and some eyebrow‑raising references to “reprimands.” Referencing supposed public records, but not posted, Larry Block claims that Planning Commissioner Andrew Solomon was contacted by the city attorney and city clerk and told to reel it in – an unusual step taken just before the Council pushed new “civility” rules.

So, we decided to take a closer look.

Every city has one, the commissioner with the glossed‑up résumé, the carefully curated headshot, and a talent for telling two stories at once. It seems that ours is Andrew Solomon.

Professionally, he refers to himself as an “entertainment attorney” in Business & Legal Affairs at Annapurna. At City Hall, he’s the freshly minted Planning Commissioner, ushered in by Mayor Chelsea Byers after an earlier commission tour courtesy of Councilmember John Erickson.

Between those two worlds live a few details we’re apparently meant to overlook: a day‑one dismissal of rent control; a professional title that doesn’t line up with California’s licensing records; and appointments that make you wonder who knew what, and when.

But first, the character study. Who is this commissioner, how did he get here, and why do the controversies rhyme so neatly with the power that elevated him?

Solomon and his wife, Kali Rogers, arrived in 2014, rented a while, then bought a fixer on Kings Road in 2018. He celebrates a supposed slimming of his HOA budget – ostensibly because fiscal discipline plays well in a bio. Kali found her lane too, landing a city commission appointment from Councilmember John Erickson. Think of them as West Hollywood’s commission power couple – while one sits at the dais, the other works the corridors; it’s not a coincidence.

Commissioner Solomon’s résumé is PR‑polished. At Scott Free, an entertainment production company, Solomon claims to have answered to the president’s office while working “heavy” phones, travel, scheduling. At Disney, he purports to have worked on The Last Duel, handling production logistics, not policy. At Apple, he claims to have sat in Business Affairs moving deal paperwork, but that’s still not a California law license.

In November 2024 he claims to have landed a gig in West Hollywood at Annapurna as Business & Legal Affairs; professionally he refers to himself as an “entertainment attorney” who negotiates, drafts, and advises on deals.

Big title, bigger question: where’s the license? At City Hall, Erickson seated him in 2021 to chair Public Facilities, and in June 2024 Mayor Chelsea Byers upgraded him to the Planning Commission.

The arc is cinematic; the plot holes are, too.

How Rent Control Works in West Hollywood

West Hollywood adopted rent stabilization in 1984. Most residents are renters, and many live in rent‑stabilized buildings.

The Planning Commission votes on demolitions, replacement requirements, and the fine print that decides whether people actually get to come back after a project. So when a new commissioner opens with “rent control doesn’t work,” that’s not just talk; it tells you how he’ll vote.

Did Mayor Chelsea Byers know that was his view when she appointed him? Did Councilmember John Erickson know when he first picked Solomon and gave him his initial commission seat in 2021? If they don’t share the view, why pick him? If they do, say it plainly.

Now about that title doing all the heavy lifting. “Entertainment attorney” sounds great—until you check the bar records.

The California State Bar shows no record for Andrew Solomon.

The Texas Bar, where he was admitted in 2011, lists him administratively suspended and ineligible to practice. California generally expects lawyers who practice here to, you know, be licensed here.

There is a narrow option for registered in‑house counsel, but it requires good standing somewhere else. Suspension makes you ineligible. If Solomon’s day‑to‑day at Annapurna in West Hollywood includes advising on rights or drafting contracts, that could amount to unauthorized practice of law.

If he’s purely on the business side while licensed counsel carries the legal water, then calling himself an “attorney” is costume, not credential. Public titles should match licensing records.

And this circles back to the Councilmembers who chose him. Appointments aren’t accidents; they’re declarations.

Mayor Byers, did you know? If yes, why appoint someone who opened his tenure by dismissing rent control? If not, why wasn’t that vetted? You say you’re tenants‑first; this pick says otherwise.

Councilmember Erickson, did you ask? You started the Solomon track in 2021. Did you ask about his stance on rent control then? About licensure now? Or was the title shiny enough to pass?

Due diligence, anyone do it? Did City Hall check the California Bar (no record) or the Texas Bar (administratively suspended) before elevating him?

Pick a lane—“we knew” or “we missed it.” If West Hollywood’s renter protections are being put at risk by a commissioner who doesn’t believe in them, say whose test this is. If Byers and Erickson wanted a contrarian, own it. If they didn’t, undo it. The record is already public.

We requested comment from Mayor Chelsea Byers months ago, with no response.