Saint Petersburg Attorney Elected President of
Prestigious Statewide Attorneys Organization
James W. Denhardt, a Saint Petersburg lawyer who serves as city attorney for Pinellas Park and Redington Shores, was named president of the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association (FMAA) at the organization’s 36th Annual Seminar. He will serve a one-year term leading the FMAA.
“The Florida Municipal Attorneys Association is a group of approximately 800 of what I consider to be some of the most outstanding attorneys in the state, both in the public and private sectors, and who represent municipalities and governments as in-house counsel and as outside special counsel,” said Denhardt. “I am extremely flattered and honored to have been selected to serve as president of the FMAA for the next year.”
After graduating from law school in 1973, Denhardt was an assistant state attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit for three and a half years, and has maintained a private practice of law in St. Petersburg for the past 41 years. He has served continuously as town attorney for the Town of Redington Shores for 39 years, served as city attorney for the City of Treasure Island for 17 years, and has served as city attorney for the City of Pinellas Park for the past 13 years. In addition, he has served as special counsel for the City of St. Petersburg, City of Clearwater, and the City of Madeira Beach, and has served as special magistrate for a number of other communities.
“I have worked closely with Jim on a number of matters over the years. He is not only an extremely competent attorney, but also a very practical-minded one, both in his private practice and in his representation of his municipal clients,” said retired St. Petersburg City Attorney and former FMAA President John Wolfe. “He has served a number of Pinellas County municipalities as city attorney and in other capacities for nearly 40 years. He is very respected by his peers in this area and throughout the state. Jim is well prepared to lead the FMAA as president.”
“Jim is well-versed in the area of municipal law and has repeatedly shared his knowledge with city attorneys throughout the state,” said Florida League of Cities General Counsel Chip Morrison. “He will serve the FMAA well as president.”
New officers were also elected for the 2017-18 term. Fort Lauderdale City Attorney Cynthia Everett will serve as president-elect and Orlando Chief Assistant City Attorney Kyle A. Shephard will serve as treasurer.
