FLORIDA CITIES
On the Case Update on FLC ‘friend of the court’ briefs for cities By Kraig Conn Florida League of Cities
T
he Florida League of Cities (FLC) Legal Department provides a wide array of legal services to the League and its members. These services are designed to ensure that Florida’s cities remain apprised of legal matters affecting their operations and that municipal interests are advanced at the various levels of government. In addition to general “in-house” legal services, the Department provides counsel on the development and effect of legislation, files original court and administrative actions on behalf of municipalities and files amicus curiae – “friend
12
QUALITY CITIES | MEMBERSHIP 2023
of the court” – briefs in the state and federal appellate courts. Legal staff members can also consult with Florida’s city attorneys on legal problems facing their particular municipalities. The League is currently involved as an amicus curiae in six cases. As an amicus curiae, the League is not a named party to the particular matter. Instead, the League’s role is to provide a court with a perspective on how its decision in a case may have a statewide impact. A summary of the six cases is provided below. At the time of publishing, all of the cases except two are pending, which means the particular court has not yet decided the matter.
