Alan Jackson leaves DA's office for private practice

This cannot be called a surprise. Losing candidates for DA don't usually have happy careers in the office after taking on the boss. Alan Jackson, who lost to Jackie Lacey in last year's runoff, will join the downtown firm of Palmer, Lombardi and Donohue and practice civil law. The firm's three partners were political supporters of Jackson's campaign, the LA Times says.

The move comes a month after Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey, who beat him in the November runoff, reassigned Jackson from the prestigious major crimes division to a post where he is no longer in court but instead supervises prosecutors handling less high-profile cases. Jackson previously described the reassignment as a backward step for his career.

"There are more opportunities outside the office than inside at this point," Jackson said about his decision to leave.

Jackson, a deputy district attorney for 18 years, said the decision to leave was a difficult one. He said he plans to continue to play a role in the criminal justice system through his volunteer work with rehabilitation and education programs for youngsters, such as the San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps.