Mission Statement

To provide quality professional, objective and proactive legal representation and services to the City of Sarasota in a prompt and cost efficient manner.

Purpose

The position of City Attorney is provided for under Article VII of the Charter of the City of Sarasota. The City Commission, by the affirmative vote of four (4) members appoints the City Attorney, who serves at the pleasure of the City Commission. The City Charter requires that the City Attorney must be a member of the Florida Bar with a minimum of five (5) years experience in the practice of law and that the City Attorney must reside within the City limits.

About the Office

The City Attorney is the legal advisor to the City Commission, to various City advisory boards and committees and to the City administration and departments. The City Attorney's Office is responsible for representing the City in civil litigation in which the City is a party and for prosecution of municipal ordinance violations. The City Attorney's Office also handles a wide variety of other legal issues, including but not limited to the drafting or review of all municipal ordinances and resolutions; negotiation and preparation of agreements and leases to which the City is a party; real estate transactions; contraband forfeitures and the rendering of legal opinions regarding questions of law upon the request of the City Commission or City staff. The City Attorney also coordinates the activity of outside legal counsel. The City Attorney's Office does not represent private citizens in private legal matters involving the City or otherwise.