The Fort Lauderdale City Commission has appointed Shari L. McCartney to serve as the City’s next City Attorney. McCartney, an accomplished attorney with more than 30 years of experience in government affairs, local government law and regulatory compliance, will begin her role in December following Tuesday night’s Commission approval.
A longtime Fort Lauderdale resident, McCartney currently serves as a director with Tripp Scott, where she focuses her practice on government affairs, public entity law and education law. She has represented clients at federal, state and local levels of government and served as external general counsel for both public and private organizations.
“Shari McCartney brings a unique combination of legal expertise, leadership experience and community commitment to this important role,” said Mayor Dean Trantalis. “Her knowledge of the law and our community as well as her decades of service in the region will ensure that Fort Lauderdale continues to operate with the highest standards of transparency, ethics and professionalism.”
McCartney was Mayor and Commissioner of the City of Oakland Park and served as Senior Counsel to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General in Washington, D.C. She has also held positions as Trustee of the Municipal Pension Investment Trust, Member of the Broward County Planning Council, Member of the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization and Board Member of the Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Inc. McCartney currently serves on the Fort Lauderdale Planning and Zoning Board.
As City Attorney, McCartney will serve as the chief legal advisor to the City Commission, the City Manager and all City departments, boards and agencies. Her responsibilities include leading the City’s legal department, preparing and reviewing ordinances, negotiating contracts and ensuring compliance with local, state and federal laws.
“It is an honor to serve the City I call home,” said McCartney. “Fort Lauderdale is a vibrant and forward-thinking community, and I look forward to providing legal guidance that helps advance the City Commission’s vision for our future.”
