(Miami, Florida) –Three in house City of Miami attorneys have been listed among Florida Trend Magazine’s 2008 Legal Elite, representing about 2% of the approximately 61,000 active Florida Bar members who practice in Florida. Maria J. Chiaro, Victoria Méndez and Rafael Suárez-Rivas were selected among the attorneys practicing in Florida, earning top approval from their peers. They were selected by fellow members of the Florida Bar who submitted their names for recognition in the Government Attorney category. 

“I am honored to lead the entire team of qualified and professional attorneys who represent the City of Miami,” said City Attorney Julie Bru. “Maria, Victoria, and Rafael are three shining examples of the work we do to safeguard the interest of our city and its residents. I commend them for receiving this honor and join my colleagues in congratulating them for their achievement.” 

Maria J. Chiaro- Currently, the Deputy City Attorney and the Chief Land Use Attorney,  Ms. Chiaro, is one of the first Florida Bar Board Certified local government attorneys, was the city attorney for Hollywood, Florida from 1988 to 1990, and the City Attorney for Naples, Florida from 1991 to 1997.  She served as the Interim City Attorney in Miami in 2004 and 2008. She is a graduate of Leadership Florida and was named the "Boss of the Year" in 1996 in Collier County. In 2005, both the South Florida Legal Guide and the South Florida Business Journal named her "Best Local Government Lawyer". Ms. Chiaro also was a Florida Legal Elite Attorney in 2007.  She earned Juris Doctorate (1982), cum laude, University of Miami School of Law in Miami, Florida.

Victoria Méndez- Joined the Office of the City Attorney in 2004. She is currently the Supervisor for the Environmental and Quality of Life Division, dealing with legal matters in the area of land use and environmental law, code enforcement, platting, unsafe structures, and eminent domain. Ms. Méndez received her Juris Doctorate in December 1999 from the University of Miami College of Law and her Masters Degree of Public Administration from the University of Miami in May 1999. She received an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Political Science from the University of Miami in December of 1995. 

Rafael Suárez-Rivas- Mr. Suarez-Rivas rejoined the Office of the City Attorney in 2002, after having served as Miramar City Attorney, Assistant Broward County Attorney, and General Counsel for the Broward Performing Arts Center Authority, and Senior Assistant City Attorney for the City of Hollywood. He is Board Certified in City, County and Local Government Law. His practice includes Land Use and Environmental Law, representing the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board, the Urban Development Design Review Board, and land use appeals and litigation for the City of Miami. 

For the complete list of attorneys named Florida Trend Magazine’s 2008 Legal Elite, visit Florida Trend’s web site at http://www.floridatrend.com/law_elite.asp