JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan has announced her appointment for the city's next general counsel, after her previous pick withdrew from the nomination process last week.
Deegan has now chosen Michael Fackler, a partner at Jacksonville law firm Milam Howard Nicandri & Gillam P.A. A press release from the City of Jacksonville says he has been an attorney for nearly 20 years.
He also worked for United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger; served as the Jacksonville Federal Bar Association president; and taught as an adjunct professor at the Florida Coastal School of Law.
He also has a long history of serving Jacksonville; he's a current board member for the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and Riverside Presbyterian Church Basketball League and has served on the Jacksonville Historical Society board in several positions.
Fackler sent the following statement to First Coast News Friday:
“I’m honored to be joining the Deegan administration to lead the Office of General Counsel. In recent days, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with members of the administration, Council leadership, and a number of attorneys in the office. It’s gratifying to be tapped to lead this dynamic, talented law firm of city attorneys as we work to address the complex challenges facing Jacksonville at this time, along with managing the many opportunities we expect in the coming years.”
Fackler will be appointed as acting general council on Friday, Sept. 29. The Qualifications Review Committee will meet in October to review his qualifications. If he is approved, the city council will then vote on whether or not to approve him as the city's permanent general counsel.
Interim General Counsel Bob Rhodes will end his term Thursday, Sept 28.