The salary is negotiable, but is expected to be in the high $200,000 range.
Required Education:
Doctorate
Internal Number: Att-03
THE CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE, FL INVITES YOUR INTEREST FOR THE POSITION OF CITY ATTORNEY
Welcome to the City of Fort Lauderdale. Click on the link below for more details on this exciting opportunity: https://ftlcity.info/cityattorney
The City is seeking an outstanding leader to head up the City Attorney’s Office. This legal mind will have the vision and skills to take the City Attorney's Office to the next level. They will partner with the members of the City Commission and City staff to solve problems while being a supporter and a trusted advisor. The ideal candidate will be extraordinarily responsive with a "can do" attitude.
The individual will thrive on solving problems strategically. When asked a question, they will already know the correct answer and provide it quickly and succinctly. When the individual does not know the answer, they will say so and provide the requested information quickly. They will keep all Commissioners and stakeholders equally informed and be consistent with communication. No surprises will be the rule, not the exception. They will understand the political environment but not be involved in it. A key to success will be regular communication with the City Commission, the City Manager, and City staff.
Personally, the individual will be honest, ethical, very intelligent, upbeat, outgoing, hardworking, organized, flexible, congenial, and progressive. The ideal candidate will remain calm in the face of adversity and will be quick to think and act reasonably and responsibly. They will believe strongly in transparency and apply it to the degree it is wise to do so.
The City Attorney is a Charter Officer of the City and serves as legal advisor to, and attorney and counselor for, the City and all of its officers in matters relating to their official duties. The City Attorney is responsible for prosecuting offenders against the ordinances of the City of Fort Lauderdale. The City Attorney is responsible for all legal matters related to the City of Fort Lauderdale, interacts with all City departments, and provides legal advice and direction to the City Commission, City Manager, Department Heads and other officials in the best interest of the City. The City Attorney plans, coordinates, manages, supervises and oversees the activities and operations for administrative and or technical operations of the City Attorney’s Office and heads major initiatives and special projects as directed by the City Commission. Direct reports include 31 FTE positions. The Department is supported with a FY 2025 Adopted Budget of $7,805,557.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
The City of Fort Lauderdale offers a competitive salary depending on qualifications and experience. The salary is negotiable, but is expected to be in the high $200,000 range. The City provides a generous benefits program, including health, dental, life insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave. In addition to the competitive benefits package and salary, the City of Fort Lauderdale participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) which offers an investment option and a pension option and requires a 3% contribution from employees. New hires are automatically enrolled in FRS.
A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school is required.
Eight or more years of increasingly responsible experience in city, county or local government law is required.
The Florida Bar certification in city, county and local government law may substitute for three years of this required experience.
The City Attorney must be licensed to practice law in the State of Florida in accordance with The Florida Bar for a minimum of two years.
Three or more years of experience supervising attorneys and/or legal staff is required.
Applicants must also have three or more years of litigation and appellate experience.
Experience in land use, historic preservation, public utilities and labor unions is a plus.
The City Attorney is considered an Essential Employee as a member of the Policy Group operating at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) when activated. If unable to be present in the EOC, the City Attorney is expected to assign a designee.
