Aviation
The Aviation practice group provides legal services and counsel in connection with the two airports owned and operated by Broward County: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and North Perry Airport (HWO). Attorneys in this group handle a host of matters related to running a large international airport, such as negotiating and drafting land and terminal leases, licenses, concessions agreements, and shuttle and parking contracts. This group also handles matters involving Federal Aviation Administration regulations, finance and bonds, airport construction, information systems, public records, security requirements, utilities, airport-related litigation, and other airport- and aviation-related issues.
Budget, Public Finance, and Housing Finance
This practice group provides legal services related to the County's ongoing capital bond issuances and other financing arrangements for the County's capital projects, and handles a host of matters that support the County's affordable housing programs. Attorneys in the group provide counsel to a number of County agencies, including the Office of Management and Budget, Finance and Administrative Services Department, and the Housing Finance Authority.
Collections and Bankruptcy
This practice group provides legal advice to all County agencies regarding collection of amounts owed to the County, whether through assessment of liens, recording judgments, garnishment, or other collection methods. In addition, these attorneys advocate for the County in bankruptcy cases across the country by filing proofs of claim and negotiating payment of taxes and other amounts owed to the County. The group also litigates collection matters when required.
Commercial, Construction, and Public Works
The Commercial, Construction, and Public Works practice group advises the Board of County Commissioners and County staff with respect to construction and commercial matters and represents the County in related contract disputes. Attorneys provide advice in structuring competitive solicitations for contracts, assist in the negotiation of complex transactions, and review public works contracts for legal sufficiency. The team also represents the County at all levels of the construction process, including project development and execution, dispute avoidance and resolution, bidding, bid disputes and protests, contract negotiation, claims submission and presentation, pre-trial dispute resolution proceedings, and litigation.
Constitutional, Appellate, and Governmental Issues
This practice group litigates and provides counsel to the Board of County Commissioners and County Administration on the many constitutional issues (state and federal) that impact local government. In addition, these attorneys address a wide variety of other issues that are particular to local government in Florida, such as redistricting, preemption, and executive and legislative powers.
Elections and Legislative Delegation
The attorneys who practice in this group provide counsel to the Broward County Canvassing Board and the Supervisor of Elections in connection with general and local elections, and also provide counsel to the Board of County Commissioners and all County agencies regarding the impact of new legislation on the operations of the County.
Employee Benefits, OESBD, Cultural, and Film
This practice group provides representation in the administration and negotiation of the County's employee benefits programs. Attorneys in this group also advise on the County's cultural programs, including the County's new Film Commission, and provide legal services to the Office of Economic and Small Business Development in its implementation of a full range of strategies designed to enhance Broward County's economy through job creation and business expansion.
Environmental
This practice group provides legal support to the County departments that focus on safeguarding human health and the natural environment. Lawyers counsel departments on the application of environmental laws, ordinances, delegated permitting, and licensing and support the County's programs to protect local beaches, coastal areas, reefs, and water, soil, and air quality. Legal support includes counseling staff, prosecuting and defending enforcement actions, negotiating settlements, and drafting appropriate ordinances to implement the County's various environmental programs. This group also provides legal support to the Water Advisory Board and Climate Change Task Force.
Ethics & Sunshine
This practice group provides legal advice to members of the Board of County Commissioners, members of other County boards and committees, and County staff regarding the laws governing ethics and Florida's Sunshine law.
Enterprise Technology Services, Regional Emergency Services and Communications, and Emergency Management
This group provides primary legal counsel for the County's Enterprise Technology Services (ETS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Regional Emergency Services and Communications (RESC). The team handles the legal aspects of the County's technology-related procurements, negotiations, and contracts, and also provides legal support to County emergency management staff on issues ranging from E911 communications to hurricane preparation and response.
General Litigation; Labor and Employment; Human Resources
The General Litigation and Labor and Employment and Labor team handles a wide variety of lawsuits involving the County, including litigation of employment discrimination cases before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, eminent domain actions, and contract disputes. This labor and employment matters handled by this group involve collective bargaining, arbitration hearings, day-to-day counseling on employment issues, employee benefits, and compliance with health law. In addition, the team acts as counsel for the County in enforcing the Fair Housing Act through the Broward County Human Rights Act.
General Transactional
The General Transactional practice group provides transactional legal services to a variety of County departments and divisions, including Animal Care, “Visit Lauderdale" (the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau), Parks and Recreation Division, Libraries Division, and Records, Taxes and Treasury Division. The types of matters range from releases and forms for members of the public accessing services at County parks, to sponsorship and license agreements that support tourism in Broward County, to complex negotiations and contracts for multimillion dollar procurements of goods and services.
Human Services
The Human Services practice group provides a wide variety of transactional legal services to the Human Services Department's divisions and sections, including the Broward Addiction Recovery Division, Community Partnerships Division, Crisis Intervention Support Division, Elderly and Veterans Services Division, Family Success Administration Division, and Housing Options Solutions and Supports Division. The attorneys in this group assist the agencies in negotiating and drafting contracts, resolutions, and ordinances, and providing day-to-day counseling on matters impacting the provision of social services to Broward County residents.
Land Use, General Regulation, and Code Enforcement
This team works with County agencies to maintain the quality of life of Broward County residents and proactively plan for continuous growth and development. The team works assist with developing, implementing, and enforcing land use regulations, negotiates development agreements, and handles comprehensive planning matters. The team advises various County boards, councils, and divisions regarding state, federal, and local laws, and matters of administrative procedure and order.
Personal Injury, General Liability, and Risk Management; Workers' Compensation
The personal injury practice group represents the County in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Litigation involves a wide array of issues, including claims arising from the use of County recreational facilities and from the operations of various County departments. The workers' compensation practice group represents the County in all its litigation matters relating to workers' compensation claims.
Port Everglades
The Port Everglades Team provides general counsel services to the Port Everglades Department on a wide range of legal issues including, but not limited to, federal maritime contracts, procurement, real estate, landlord-tenant, administrative, environmental, ethics, and construction matters.
Procurement
The Procurement practice group provides legal advice and support in connection with the County's public procurement of goods, services, and construction. This group also advises County staff regarding the County's Cone of Silence and represents the County in procurement disputes.
Public Communications, Public Records, Consumer Protection, Child Care Licensing
This practice group advises County agencies on a wide variety of legal issues including: compliance with Florida public records laws; legal issues relating to state-mandated licensing and monitoring of all child care facilities and family child care homes in Broward County; and enforcement proceedings, negotiated settlement agreements, and quasi-judicial hearings in support of the County's consumer protection agencies.
Real Property
The Real Property practice group provides legal services regarding real property acquisition and management, and drafts deeds, leases, licenses, easements, and other property conveyances, as well as ordinances and resolutions related to County real property.
Surtax and Transportation
The Surtax and Transportation group provides general legal services, including drafting legal opinions, agreements, ordinances, and resolutions, for various County departments, agencies, and offices on a wide range of legal issues related to transportation and use of proceeds from the Broward County transportation surtax.
