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March 20, 08

Miami

Human Capital

Miami’s new city attorney says she’s up for the challenge

By Angie Hargot

The city of Miami unanimously voted Thursday to appoint Julie O. Bru the new city attorney.

Bru, formerly the deputy city attorney, replaces embattled former City Attorney Jorge Fernandez, who resigned last month amid a scandal and Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office investigation into his improper expenditures, which include pricey meals billed to the city, illegal outlays and a $300,000 remodeling of the City Attorney’s Office. Fernandez officially left his post in February. In exchange, the city agreed not to press charges, though it did have to pay a hefty severance package that prompted a change in policy.

“I am humbled,” Bru told the SunPost Friday. “It speaks very highly that the commission decided to stay within the office. In years past, the city always tried to do a national search.”

Bru spent 18 years as assistant city attorney in Miami, most recently as the second in command, overseeing the city’s legal staff of more than 20 attorneys and 28 administrative and support staff members. Bru also oversaw the city’s clinical externship program. She is board-certified in city, county and local government, and has spent 17 years practicing government law. She received her juris doctorate degree in 1988 from Stetson University’s College of Law in Gulfport, Fla.

The City Attorney’s Office is responsible for providing legal services to the commission and handling other legal matters involving labor, employment and land use issues, appeals and real estate transactions.

Maria J. Chiaro, deputy chief of the City Attorney’s Office land use division, has been the interim city attorney since Fernandez resigned. Chiaro, one of the first Florida Bar-certified local government attorneys, has served as city attorney for several Florida municipalities, as well as interim Miami city attorney in 2004.

“The commission made it clear it was going to be one or the other of us,” Chiaro said Friday. Although the two were vying for the same position, Chiaro said there are no sour grapes.

“We’re going to work really hard together. We are friends and colleagues — we’re a team. It’s a daunting job. I was working 18 hours a day. It’s a lot of work.”

Still, Bru doesn’t seem intimidated.

“I’m very proud of my colleagues,” Bru said. “And I’m up for the challenge. It’s a huge responsibility and I’m thrilled about the opportunity.”

Bru will have her work cut out for her in a city constantly besieged by charges of corruption. Just in the last year, it has been plagued by housing agency scandals involving questionable deals and millions of dollars, a police chief under investigation by several agencies, a budgetary shortfall and more impending budget cuts thanks to anticipated state property tax legislation.

But “the biggest challenge with anything is dealing with human capital — to motivate them,” Bru said. “There will be a huge issue with the budget and resources. We’re seeing cutbacks across the board — and we’re going to have to do even more with less. I’m going to have to maximize the talent I have in the office to continue to deliver excellent service to the commission.”

Comments? E-mail angie@miamisunpost.com

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