5 attorneys to represent city's general counsel

General Counsel Cindy Laquidara

JACKSONVILLE, Fla – Five local attorneys are stepping forward to represent the city's top attorney, Cindy Laquidara, as a local group sues to remove her from office.

The Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County announced its lawsuit Sunday afternoon on the steps of City Hall.

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It wants a judge to remove Laquidara from office, saying the city's standard procedure for appointing and reappointing a general counsel was not followed in Laquidara's case.

On Wednesday, five attorneys signed a letter to the mayor saying they would represent Laquidara at no expense to the city. They are Kevin Hyde, John DeVault, Hank Coxe, Rutledge Liles and David Wells.

Hyde is a past member of the City Council and served as council president.

The city has pointed to the legal opinion Laquidara issued last month where she said Mayor Alvin Brown legally appointed her.

The mayor's chief of staff referred to a portion of the city charter that allows a general counsel to be appointed by the mayor.