L-R: Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, Commissioner Tomas Regalado, Victoria Mendez, Maria Chiaro, Rafael Rivas-Suarez, Julie O. Bru, Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez, Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, Commissioner Angel Gonzalez and City Manager Pete Hernandez.  Photo: Jorge R. Perez/City of Miami.

(Miami, Florida) – For two years in a row, three City of Miami attorneys have been listed among Florida Trend’s 2009 Legal Elite, representing less than 2% of the nearly 63,000 Florida Bar members who practice in Florida. 

Maria J. Chiaro, Victoria Méndez and Rafael Suárez-Rivas were selected among the 73 government attorneys practicing in Florida, earning top approval from their peers. The three attorneys were recognized by Commissioner Sarnoff during Commission meeting.  

“It’s very gratifying to see the State recognizing what we at the City of Miami already know-that Maria, Victoria, and Rafael are extremely bright and sincerely dedicated to protecting the best interests of our residents,” said Commissioner Marc Sarnoff.

Florida Trend’s Legal Elite list recognizes the work of the top attorneys in Florida who excel in different areas of law including Business, Environmental, Criminal, Government, Family Law, among others.  The three city attorneys were nominated by their peers. 

“I am proud of our three City Attorneys, Maria J. Chiaro, Victoria Méndez and Rafael Suárez-Rivas, for this prestigious recognition. I am grateful for all of their hard work and their service to the residents of the City of Miami,” stated Mayor Manny Diaz.

City of Miami Attorneys’ bios:
Maria J. Chiaro- Currently heads the Land Use Division and is one of the first Florida Bar Board Certified local government attorneys, was the city attorney for Hollywood, Florida from 1988 to 1990, 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".  She earned Juris Doctorate (1982), cum laude, University of Miami School of Law in Miami, Florida.

Victoria Méndez- Joined the city of Miami 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. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from Nova University School of Law  in 1979.

For a listing of attorneys visit Florida Trend’s Legal Elite http://www.floridatrend.com/legalelite_articles.asp?aID=51211