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Local governments need the same high level of professional legal representation as for-profit corporations and businesses. Just like private companies, local governments are multi-million dollar businesses with large staffs, complex regulatory schemes and very demanding stakeholders, namely, the citizens who elect them. Like corporate law, securities law and estate planning, municipal law is highly specialized and complex. Weiss Serota is one of the few law firms in the country with a practice primarily focused upon the representation of local governments and public-sector entities.
For nearly two decades, our AV rated firm has provided a broad range of legal services, constantly evolving to meet the needs of municipalities, counties, special districts and other governmental entities throughout Florida. Collectively, our more than 50 attorneys have centuries of experience in the many legal practice areas that are relevant to running cities and local government entities. Our practice areas are structured to interact seamlessly with staff and elected officials and to respond to virtually all of the legal needs of public entities.
Our team includes attorneys practicing in municipal land use, urban planning, utilities law, environmental law, code enforcement and lien law, affordable housing development, community redevelopment agency law, real estate transactions, public private partnerships, telecommunications, public contracts, construction, labor and employment, environmental and solid waste management, eminent domain and governmental litigation as well as general municipal representation and constitutional law. There is virtually no legal issue affecting municipalities that we have not successfully handled before in one form or another.
The firm works closely with elected and appointed officials to ensure that local governments effectively meet the legal responsibilities and mandates of local, state and federal law. We understand that our role is not to make policy, but to counsel and assist our clients by providing a legal framework for decision-making. Our services enable our government clients to meet their constitutional responsibilities and earn their constituents’ confidence and trust.
Certainly, other law firms provide public sector clients with legal services of one kind or another. The difference between Weiss Serota and those firms is that the lawyers that work here have devoted their careers to providing legal services to local government, and are knowledgeable in nearly every area of the law that could potentially affect local government. This means that the many cities and towns that have selected us as their city or town attorney almost never need to hire outside counsel. This has resulted in savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars for our clients and their constituent taxpayers.
Whether our firm is involved in high-profile litigation or in providing day-to-day advice on local government law and policy, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of the legal profession. Our attorneys are dedicated to remaining on the cutting edge of their practice areas while faithfully serving the governments that retain us.
Legally Sound Legislation
As a direct result of our representation of numerous municipalities, our firm drafts thousands of resolutions and ordinances each year. Our attorneys strive to draft legislation that is both understandable to the general public and able to survive legal challenge. We maintain an extensive database of form resolutions and ordinances, and we can resource sample and model ordinances from around the United States and abroad. Because the laws governing local government are very specific and ever-changing, the consequences of overlooking new legal requirements can be dramatic. That is why our attorneys remain abreast of the latest legislative and judicial developments in municipal law through a program of in-house training and continuing professional education. We also are frequently requested to publish articles and make presentations to The Florida Bar, local bar associations, the National League of Cities, the Florida League of Cities and other prestigious organizations.
To discuss your municipalities’ legal needs, please contact Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske today. From our South Florida offices we represent government entities throughout the state.
