Bios of Authors and Editors

Elizabeth M. Hernandez

ELIZABETH M. HERNANDEZ, Mrs. Hernandez has served as Chief Legal Officer for the City of Coral Gables since 1995. In this capacity she is responsible for the handling of all legal claims and suits, and provides legal counsel to the City Commission and Administration, including the negotiation, preparation and approval of contracts and agreements executed by the City. In addition Mrs. Hernandez provides special legal assistance to City Boards and Committees, and serves as prosecutor to the Code Enforcement Board, and as the Board advisor for the Construction Regulation Board, Charter Review Board, as well as the Planning and Zoning Board. Her local government practice is of a general nature, with emphasis on ethics laws governing local government officials, land use and zoning law and Florida constitutional law. She is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell and has been a Florida Bar Board Certified City, County and Local Government Lawyer since 1997, and has served on the Executive Council of the City, County and Local Government Law Section of the Florida Bar since 1998 presently serving as Secretary, as well as the President Elect of the Florida Municipal Lawyers Association She has lectured in continuing legal education courses presented by the ABA, Lorman, the South Florida Planning and Zoning Association and other organizations. Mrs. Hernandez has been recognized among top government attorneys in 2004 and 2005 by both South Florida Legal Guide and Florida Trend. Mrs. Hernandez received her Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida, Holland Law Center, Gainesville, Florida in 1983.