What We Do

Code Enforcement & Foreclosure

Provide legal support and counsel to the Code Compliance Unit, the Code Enforcement Board, and the Special Magistrates assigned to the City’s code enforcement hearings.

Under certain circumstances, the City Attorney’s Office is tasked with foreclosing on any code enforcement liens it may have on a property with the intention of removing blighted properties from the City.   

Land Use

This area includes all land use, zoning, platting, sustainable/green initiatives, historic preservation, planning, public works, building, contracts, procurement, real estate and the like.

Forfeitures

Civil asset forfeiture is law enforcement’s seizure and potential transfer of ownership of real or personal property that is used or attempted to be used in criminal activity. Once assets are seized, a law enforcement agency may file a claim for forfeiture of the assets in civil court, and once forfeited, those assets become the property of the agency.

Litigation

The attorneys assigned to this practice area defend the City and its various agencies, departments, officers, agents, employees and elected officials in lawsuits filed in federal and state courts. The bulk of litigation cases involve Civil Rights, Personal Injury, Commercial and Risk Management. This practice area also pursues affirmative litigation matters which seek to recover money from breach of contract, damages to City property, injunctions to prevent nuisances and violations of City Codes, and collection of various debts or financial obligations owed to the City.

Legislation

The City Attorney’s Office drafts legislation by way of ordinances and resolutions to present before the City Commission.

Procurement

The City Attorney’s Office reviews all of the City’s procurement requests to ensure that the procurement process is in compliance with the City’s Code, as well as State and Federal procurement standards.

Labor & Employment

All legal matters related to the City's role as the employer of approximately 400 union and non-union workers is handled by this practice area. This includes all litigation in state and federal court in connection with workers' compensation, discipline, discharge collective bargaining and promotions. Attorneys in this practice area also advise management on labor relations issues, and compliance with state and federal labor laws.