 Susan Garrett was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2018 following a lengthy legal career in the State of Georgia. She began her legal career in the private sector, representing individuals, businesses, civic organizations, and local governments in land use, historic preservation, general business matters, and employment and civil rights litigation. Since joining the firm in 2020 she has been providing legal advice and representation to local municipalities in a broad range of legal matters, including land use, historic preservation, code enforcement, public records, sunshine law, contracts and procurement.
From 2009- 2012, Ms. Garrett served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of East Point, Georgia. In 2012 she was hired by the City of Atlanta Law Department as a Senior Assistant City Attorney in the Finance practice group, advising the Procurement and Information Technology Departments, assisting the Land Use team, and staffing the Board of Zoning Adjustment and the License Review Board. In July 2017, Ms. Garrett was “borrowed” from the Law Department to serve as Interim Chief Procurement Officer, overseeing all major purchasing activity by both the city and its airport. In August 2018, Ms. Garrett returned to the City of Atlanta Law Department in the role of Deputy City Attorney over the Finance practice group, overseeing contracts, procurement, bid protests, bond transactions, revenue, permitting, franchise, telecommunications, annexation, zoning and land use matters. In 2019 she was named Division Chief for Public Safety, serving as general counsel to all of the City’s public safety agencies, including Police, Fire & Rescue, Courts, Solicitor, Public Defender, and Corrections.
Throughout her career Ms. Garrett has been a frequent speaker and panelist at seminars on civil rights, procurement, land use and historic preservation. She also taught Historic Preservation Law for over ten years as an adjunct professor in Georgia State University’s Masters of Heritage Preservation program. She is an active member of the American Bar Association and was recently appointed Vice Chair of the Local Government Section’s Public Contracts Committee.
As a Senior Associate with Torcivia, Donlon, Goddeau & Rubin, P.A., Ms. Garrett represents the Village of Palm Springs in land use, zoning, code enforcement, police and other matters. She also provides advice to the City of Lake Worth Beach’s Historical Resources Preservation Board.
Education and Background
Ms. Garrett earned her law degree from the Emory University School of Law and her undergraduate degree from McGill University. Immediately prior to joining the firm, she served as Division Chief for Public Safety in the City of Atlanta Law Department. Susan M. Garrett V-Card |