Office of the City Attorney
The Office of the City Attorney provides legal counsel and representation to the Tallahassee City Commission, City Manager, city departments, and city-appointed boards and commissions in any suit, action or proceeding filed by or against them. The office provides legal advice at Commission meetings, performs legal research and offers advisory opinions, and responds to requests from Commission and city staff to draft or review contracts, ordinances, and other legal documents.
Please note that the City Attorney's Office does not represent or give legal advice to citizens of Tallahassee. For legal representation, you should contact either your own private attorney, the Florida Bar at 850-561-5600 or visit their website at www.floridabar.org/ for a referral, or North Florida Legal Services at 850-385-9007 or visit their website at www.lsnf.org.
Amy M. Toman's Bio
Information and biography of Amy M. Toman
General Code of Ordinances and Land Development Code
Want to know if the City has a specific law or regulation in place?
Landlord-Tenant Mediation Program
Find out more about our mediation program before you consider suing your landlord or tenant.
About the Office of the City Attorney
History
The City Attorney’s Office opened its doors in City Hall on October 1, 1992 as the first in-house legal department under the leadership of City Attorney Emeritus James R. English. James English served as the City Attorney from 1983 to December 31, 2012. Succeeding Mr. English were Lewis E. Shelley and Cassandra K. Jackson.
Office Structure
Below are our attorney names/titles, as well as attorney areas of expertise:
- Amy M. Toman, City Attorney
- Louis C. Norvell, Deputy City Attorney (Multiple Areas)
- Jim Floyd, Senior Assistant City Attorney (Tort/Personal Injury)
- Kristen L. Coons, Senior Assistant City Attorney (Contracts/Grants)
- Theresa A. Flury, Senior Assistant City Attorney (Police Legal Advisor)
- Alexander S. Whitlock, Assistant City Attorney (Civil Rights)
- Breanna Green, Assistant City Attorney (Contracts)
- Christopher D. Hastings, Assistant City Attorney (Employment)
- Edie McKay, Assistant City Attorney (Contracts/Utilities)
- Jennifer M. Painter, Assistant City Attorney (Land Use/General Municipal Law)
- Kathryn L. Hood, Assistant City Attorney (Litigation/General Municipal Law)
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 850-891-8246.
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.
Area Courts and Organizations
State Agencies and Information