The Messer Law Firm, headed by James M. Messer, fulfills the functions of the City Attorney's Office.

The City Attorney is appointed directly by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council and serves in a full-time capacity under contract with the Mayor. The City Attorney's Office is located on the 7th Floor of City Hall, 222 West Main Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502. The mailing address is P.O. Box 12910, Pensacola, Florida 32521.

The City Attorney’s Office has the following duties and responsibilities:

• Acts as Legal Advisor for the City and all of its elected and appointed officers in all matters relating to their official powers and duties
• Attends all regular and special meetings of the City Council
• Prepares, or reviews for form and legal sufficiency, all ordinances and resolutions to be considered by the City Council
• Prepares, or reviews for form and legal sufficiency, all contracts, bonds and other written instruments that require City approval or signature
• Represents the interests of the City, its employees and elected and appointed officers
• Provides legal opinions when requested by the Mayor, the City Council and the City staff
• Represents all appointive City boards or agencies which are not provided with independent representation by law
• Represents the Community Redevelopment Agency
• Represents the City, its elected or appointed officials and employees in all complaints, suits, or controversies where the City, its employees, elected or appointed officials are named as parties

Please note that the City Attorney’s office cannot represent or give legal advice to the general public. To secure legal representation, you should contact either your own private attorney, or you may contact the Florida Bar at (850) 561-5600 or its website at www.flabar.org; the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association (850) 434-8135 or its website at www.esrba.com; or the Northwest Florida Legal Services Office at (850) 432-2336 or its website at www.floridalegal.org.