Tort and Employment Department
The Office of General Counsel’s Tort and Employment Department is one of the largest in the Jacksonville legal community. It is organized into a Tort and Employment Division and Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Advisory Division.
The Tort and Employment Division represents the City and its independent agencies in the following:
- Federal Section 1983 civil rights litigation
- Police tort liability, including claims for false arrest, battery and negligent supervision
- Motor vehicle accidents, including police pursuit cases and emergency vehicle accidents
- Premises liability matters
- General negligence cases
It also handles:
- Contract grievance and arbitration
- Teacher Tenure
- Collective Bargaining
- Jacksonville Human Rights Commission
- Fair Labor Standards Act
- Equal Employment
- Affirmative Action
- Civil Service
- Employee Benefits (including pension)
- Discrimination Claims (including age, gender, race)
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Advisory Division represents the Sheriff and the City and its independent agencies in the following:
- Federal Section 1983 civil rights litigation
- Police tort liability, including claims for false arrest, battery and negligent supervision
- Motor vehicle accidents involving police pursuit cases
- The Sheriff’s Risk Protection Order Program and Response to Resistance Board
- Represent City Council, its committees, members and staff on legislative matters including advice and preparation of legislation
- Represent clients in both state and federal court, as well as before various administrative agencies
Sean B. Granat, Deputy General Counsel
Sonya Harrell, Chief, Tort & Employment
Paul Beuker, Assistant General Counsel
Brianna Deuerling, Assistant General Counsel
Katy A. Harris, Assistant General Counsel
Rita Mairs, Assistant General Counsel
Brett Mereness, Assistant General Counsel
Heather M. Solanka, Assistant General Counsel
Matthew M. Whiddon, Assistant General Counsel