Clearwater's city attorney is David Margolis. David Margolis comes to the city of Clearwater from Orlando, where he served as Chief Assistant City Attorney for the City of Orlando, a role he held since 2019.
Margolis has also served as General Counsel for the Orange County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Public Safety Legal Advisor, and Senior Assistant City Attorney for the City of Hollywood; Regional Legal Advisor for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; and, as an Assistant State Attorney for the State of Florida.
He served as an adjunct professor with Seminole State College and has written extensively on police-related legal issues.
Margolis earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Florida and graduated with a Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. He is admitted to the Florida Bar.
About City Attorney Role
The objective of the City Attorney’s Office is to provide timely, cost-efficient, quality services and advice to support the City Council, the city manager, and the city departments, boards and agencies in fulfilling their missions and goals: and to advance, advocate and safeguard the interests of the city within the bounds of the law.
In furthering the City Council’s Strategic Direction of providing cost-effective municipal services through financial responsibility, efficiency and quality, the City Attorney’s Office defends lawsuits brought against the city; assists departments in negotiating, drafting, or reviewing agreements and contracts, real estate transactions, and purchasing issues and procedures; drafts or assists city staff in drafting ordinances and resolutions and performs any research associated therewith; and advises city staff and Council on all legal issues including city code and state statute interpretation, employee matters, police advice and training, and general legal questions.
Notice: Please note that the City Attorney’s Office is unable to offer or provide legal advice, answer legal questions, or provide legal opinions to private citizens. If you have legal questions, or are in need of a legal opinion, legal advice, or legal representation, please contact a private attorney.