Ralf G. Brookes, Attorney.
Board Certified in City, County and Local Government Law by The Florida Bar
CITY ATTORNEY:
City of St Pete Beach, Florida (Pinellas County, population 10,086) City Attorney (through May 2008):
City of Bradenton Beach Florida, (Manatee County, population 1,536) City Attorney; 2004 to present:
Town of Yankeetown, Florida, (Levy County, population 760) 2006 to present:
Meet with and advise City Manager & Departments; Litigation, Comprehensive Plan Amendments, Land Development Code Amendments and review of development application, variances, cell towers, planned developments, rezonings, comp plan amendments ordinances, contracts, government and public works projects
Local Government Experience:
Monroe County - in the Florida Keys - Land Use Litigation Counsel (1992-1998) Representing Monroe County Florida in land use litigation in state and federal courts, serve as counsel for Growth Management Division, counsel for Planning Department, Planning Commission and Code Enforcement; prepared and defended vacation rental, noise and other ordinances, resolutions and land development regulations, development agreements, comprehensive plan amendments, defended Monroe County in state and federal court.
Sarasota County Assistant County Attorney (1990 – 1992) Advise County Attorney, Board of County Commissioners of Sarasota County; Planning Commission, Planning, Natural Resources, Code Enforcement, Solid Waste Departments, interagency and interlocal agreements; established Pollution Control Trust Fund.
Town of Marineland / University of Florida. (Fall 2009) Prepare Unified Land Development Code. Prepare Model LDC Code for small Florida coastal municipalities containing innovative land development regulations.
Village of Islamorada (in the Florida Keys) Special Magistrate, Fla. Stat. 70.51 Land Use & Dispute Resolution Act: Alternative dispute resolution process for land use applications in Village and Circuit Court.
Fine Jacobson Schwartz Nash Block & England, in Miami/Tallahassee, Attorney 1988 to 1990. Represented applicants in City of Miami, Boca Raton, Opa Locka, South Miami, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne; Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties; sought and obtained local land use, zoning, site plan approvals
TEACHING:
Florida Gulf Coast University - Adjunct Professor - Environmental & Land Use Law 2005 - 2009.
Masters of Public Administration program: Environmental & Land Use Law.
EDUCATION:
University of Florida Law School Gainesville, Florida, Juris Doctor (J.D.) 1988
- Jessup Cup Moot Court Team;
- UF Law Center for Governmental Responsibility Fellowship recipient
University of Miami - Bachelor Science degree in Marine Sciences/Geology, Coral Gables, Florida, 1985
PROFESSIONAL:
Admitted to Florida Bar 1988 (Over 20+ years as member in good standing)
Board Certified in City County and Local Government Law by The Florida Bar 2004 (Certified)
Florida Federal Courts: Admitted Middle District Fla., Southern District Fla., Northern District Florida
Florida State Courts: Admitted all state circuits, all appellate district courts, Florida Supreme Court
The Florida Bar, Sections and Committees:
City, County and Local Government Law Section, to present
Environmental and Land Use Law Section (ELULS), Executive Council, 1993-2001
Administrative Law Section Executive Council, 1991- 1999
Florida League of Cities, Florida Municipal Attorney Association Member/Lecturer
GUEST SPEAKER / LECTURER/PARTICIPANT:
The Florida Chamber of Commerce,
Growth Management Short Course
Environmental Permitting Short Course
The Florida Bar, Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Programs
Environmental and Land Use Law Section of the Florida Bar,
Administrative Law Section of the Florida Bar
Annual Environmental/Land Use Law Conference of the Florida Bar
University of Florida
Continuing Legal Education, CLE-International Programs,
Dealing With Government;
Wetlands Regulations;
Litigating Land Use and Takings Claims;
Defending Local Government Land Use Denials;
Regulatory Takings under the U.S. and Florida Constitution
Florida Municipal Attorney Association Noise Ordinances
Southwest Florida Chamber of Commerce Issues 08 Southwest Florida Legislative Delegation
University of Florida Law School, Guest Lecturer: Rewards of Local Government Career Service
A Sustainable Southwest Florida: Creating a Vision. Participant as City Attorney
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