About Us/FAQ
History
The City Commission approved funding for an in-house City Attorney's Office in the fiscal year 1993 budget. This office opened its doors in City Hall on October 1, 1992. James English has served as the City Attorney since 1983. Prior to 1992, legal services for the City were contracted out to private law firms.
Office Structure
Below are our attorney names/titles, as well as attorney areas of expertise:
- James R. English, City Attorney (Multiple Areas)
- Lewis E. Shelley, Deputy City Attorney (Multiple Areas)
- Rick Courtemanche, Assistant City Attorney (Police Legal Advisor)
- Hetal Desai, Assistant City Attorney (Labor/Employment Issues)
- Jim Floyd, Senior Assistant City Attorney (Tort/Personal Injury)
- Billy Hendrix, Assistant City Attorney (Multiple Areas)
- Patrick E. Hurley, Senior Assistant City Attorney (Contracts/Utilities)
- Linda R. Hudson, Senior Assistant City Attorney (Planning/Environmental/Growth Management)
- Cassandra Jackson, Assistant City Attorney (Multiple Areas)
- Jonathan Sanford, Assistant City Attorney (Eminent Domain/Real Estate)
- Ann J. Wild, Assistant City Attorney (Contracts/Grants)
FAQ
Q. My neighbor is trimming tree branches which extend into his yard. This is my tree! Can the City stop him from doing this?
A. This is a private civil matter. The city cannot intervene.
Q. I drove my car through a pothole in the street and sustained damage to my car. I feel the city was negligent. Will the city pay for this?
A. If you feel the city was negligent, claims may be directed to the city's Risk Manager at 891-8246.
Q. I am going through a divorce and need some advice. Can the city help me?
A. No. The city cannot give advice in any private legal matter.
Q. If I want to find out if Tallahassee has a specific law, regulation, or requirement, who can I call?
A. You may contact the Treasurer-Clerk's Office of the City of Tallahassee, 300 South Adams Street, 2nd Floor, Tallahassee, Florida, (850) 891-8130; look at the hard copy of the City of Tallahassee Code of Ordinances at the City Attorney's Office, or search the on-line code of ordinances.