Municipal Law

Municipal Law Attorneys

The local government attorneys at the Fitzgibbons Law Offices offer comprehensive municipal law services to cities, towns, special taxing districts, quasigovernmental entities and other local governments.

Denis M. Fitzgibbons and his municipal law colleagues advise local governments on a broad range of legal matters, including:

  • open meeting and public records law
  • elections
  • procurement
  • public safety
  • employment law
  • zoning and land use
  • eminent domain and easements
  • code enforcement
  • permitting
  • premises liability
  • telecommunications
  • gift clause
  • religious land use and other constitutional issues
  • drafted ordinances, policies and resolutions
  • public notice
  • ethics codes
  • open meeting and public records law
  • elections
  • procurement
  • public safety
  • employment law
  • zoning and land use
  • eminent domain and easements
  • code enforcement
  • permitting
  • premises liability
  • telecommunications
  • gift clause
  • religious land use and other constitutional issues
  • drafted ordinances, policies and resolutions
  • public notice
  • ethics codes

VIDEO: Denis Fitzgibbons on Cities and Special Taxing Districts

Denis Fitzgibbons video on municipal law

VIDEO: Tina Vannucci on Public Safety, Economic Development and More

Denis Fitzgibbons video on municipal law

Open Meeting and Public Records Law

State law requires local governments, committees, and subcommittees to follow certain protocols with respect to public records and during meetings. State law regulates which documents and information are considered public record, and require that meetings be open to the public, and that minutes be recorded. Our attorneys are experienced with these laws and regularly counsel municipalities as to how to comply fully.

Criminal Prosecution

Fitzgibbons Law Offices, PLC, provides legal services in municipal court in the prosecution of misdemeanors, petty offenses, civil traffic and city ordinance violations.

Annexation

Any incorporated Arizona city or town may annex territory contiguous to the city or town pursuant to A.R.S. § 9-471. However, a successful annexation requires that the municipality be in compliance with petition, public notice and public hearing requirements and be prepared to answer any questions of validity posed by other cities or counties. Our attorneys have a thorough understanding of the applicable laws and regulations and have assisted clients with all aspects of the annexation process.

Land Use and Zoning

We advise local governments in land use matters, taking into account relevant zoning laws, subdivision regulations and other policies and procedures in order to allow land to develop in a way that serves the public interest. We assist municipalities, and planning and zoning commissions with drafting and reviewing amendments to zoning codes and land use restrictions, and our attorneys provide consultation services in challenges to a zoning code requests for an exemption or variance.

Contract Drafting and Negotiation

We review, negotiate, and draft many types of government contracts, including:
  • Development agreements
  • Memorandums of understanding (MOUs)
  • Intergovernmental agreements (IGAs)
  • Contracts for services
  • Real estate transactions
  • Government procurement, bidding processes and bid challenges

Labor and Employment Law

We are experienced in handling most aspects of employment law matters for city governments, including matters involving labor-management relations. We have assisted cities and towns in working through difficult employment matters involving the Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and compliance with requisite policies and procedures toward creating and maintaining a professional workplace.
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