Deputy DA Danette Meyers Wants DA Steve Cooley's Job

He's already said he might not run again for his job as LA County District Attorney, but today Steve Cooley gets to close out 2010 knowing that Deputy District Attorney Danette Meyers is nipping at his heels. Meyers, an LA resident for 50 years, and a Deputy DA for 24 years, and today she announced her candidacy for the top job, and will run for election in 2012.

Meyers has an impressive record--she has tried almost 200 jury trials, including over 40 murders, and has won numerous awards and received multiple accolades for her work. Why is her name familiar? She was, as TMZ calls it, Lindsay Lohan's "legal nemesis." Her plan, if elected, per her campaign announcement today:

As District Attorney, Danette Meyers intends to use her unprecedented courtroom experience to implement major reforms to the juvenile justice system and develop more effective community outreach projects aimed at reducing violent crimes and drug related offenses. Ms. Meyers intends to work in partnership with law enforcement, the judiciary and the legislature to increase public safety throughout Los Angeles County while ensuring fair and equal justice for all.

If elected, Meyers would be the first female and first African American District Attorney of Los Angeles County.