TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: R. Max Lohman, City Attorney
DATE: September 6, 2018
Title
APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to approve the appointment of William Bennett as Assistant City Attorney.
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Background:
The City Attorney’s Office requests the appointment of William Bennett as Assistant City Attorney.
Section 4.08(A) of the City Charter requires that the City Attorney seek City Commission approval to appoint Assistants.
The Assistant City Attorney assists the City Attorney on various legal matters including representing the City in litigation and other claims against the City, the review and drafting of agreements, bid documents and legislative matters, advises City Boards and employees and provides legal guidance on a wide range of legal issues. This position was previously filled by Assistant City Attorney Janice Rustin.
In anticipation of this vacancy, a notice of the job opening was posted on both the City’s and the Florida Bar’s website on July 11, 2018. The job posting was sent in a “job email flash” to all Florida Bar members on July 18, 2018 and August 1, 2018. The job was also posted on the local government lawyers blog. The City received more than 100 resumes in response to the notices, and the City Attorney conducted a number of interviews of qualified applicants over a 4 week period.
As a result of this process, the City Attorney is recommending the appointment of William Bennett for the position of Assistant City Attorney. Mr. Bennett is currently a Litigation Attorney at Robertson, Anschutz & Schneider where he handles all aspects of litigation for the firm. Mr. Bennett is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a B.A. degree in psychology and sociology and he received his J.D. from St. Thomas University School of Law. He has been practicing law for over 9 years. Mr. Bennett will provide his legal experience for the numerous pending litigation cases and assist with other local government matters.
If approved by the City Commission, Mr. Bennett is expected to start employment with the City within the next 30 days.
City Attorney Review:
City Attorney recommends approval.