Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan appointed Michael Fackler to become the city’s next general counsel.
A commercial litigator, Fackler has practiced law for nearly 20 years and is a partner at the Milam Howard Nicandri & Gillam law firm.
“Michael is well respected in the legal profession and community. He brings to the table nearly two decades of legal experience, unimpeachable character and bipartisan support,” Deegan said in a Sept. 20 news release.
“As our city continues to grow and our legal needs become more complex, I look forward to bringing him on board as our next general counsel.”
Fackler is a past president of the Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and was an adjunct professor at Florida Coastal School of Law.
He is a current board member of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and the Riverside Presbyterian Church Basketball League. Fackler also served as president and a board member of the Jacksonville Historical Society.
Fackler will be appointed the acting general counsel effective Sept. 29 to succeed Bob Rhodes, current interim general counsel.
The Qualification Review Committee will convene in October to review his qualifications, a process outlined in the City Charter. Upon approval by the committee, Fackler’s appointment will move to the City Council for approval to become the city’s permanent general counsel.
Deegan’s first general counsel appointee, former Council member Randy DeFoor, withdrew her nomination Sept. 13 after several Council members questioned whether her appointment would violate Florida statutes that prohibit a former elected official from lobbying for compensation for two years.