By Mike Mendenhall and Max Marbut • Staff Writers
Jason Gabriel is resigning as the city of Jacksonville’s chief general counsel for a job with the national law firm Burr & Forman.
In his resignation letter to Mayor Lenny Curry on July 6, Gabriel said his last day will be Aug. 7 and that he had accepted a private sector position.
Gabriel said in an email July 14 that he will work in Burr & Forman’s Jacksonville office. Gabriel said the firm has a “big footprint” in the Southeastern U.S.
According to its website, Burr & Forman has 19 offices and employs 350 attorneys with a focus on business law in financial, health care and manufacturing areas.
“This was an excellent opportunity at an excellent firm in the private sector (that) came up that I could not pass up,” Gabriel said.
The Florida Times-Union first reported Gabriel’s resignation July 13.
Deputy General Counsel Jason Teal will lead the city Office of General Counsel until Curry names Gabriel’s replacement, according to city Director of Public Affairs Nikki Kimbleton.
The city charter requires the mayor to convene a selection panel after Gabriel’s last day to seek candidates and recommend a hire.
Gabriel’s salary is $229,325 per year.
Former Mayor Alvin Brown appointed Gabriel acting general counsel in May 2014, a month after attorney Cindy Laquidara announced she would leave the position for a job with the Akerman Senterfitt law firm.
Curry named Gabriel permanent general counsel in June 2015.
Kimbleton said City Council President Sam Newby has been notified of Gabriel’s departure.
“Jason Gabriel has served the City of Jacksonville for more than a decade,” Curry said in an email July 14.
“He has worked diligently, through multiple administrations, operating as General Counsel for the last seven years. We are grateful for Jason’s work and dedication and we wish him the best as he returns to the private sector.”