The Fort Lauderdale City Commission on Oct. 23 selected Sherry McCartney as city attorney and assigned the mayor to lead contract negotiations with her. The appointment followed interviews of three finalists and a closed selection process.

Vice Mayor John C. Herbst moved to select McCartney; the motion was seconded and carried on a unanimous roll call. Commissioners thanked all finalists for participating in a process the mayor described as producing “an impressive group.”

After the selection, commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to conduct discussions with McCartney and return proposed employment terms to the commission for final approval. Mayor Dean Trantalis said his office would contact McCartney to begin negotiating terms as soon as possible.

Sherry McCartney addressed the commission after the vote. “I am grateful for the confidence you have in me, and I am really excited to lead this legal team in service of you and [City Manager Raquel Williams] and all the city staff,” she said.

Why this matters: The city attorney is the chief legal advisor to the commission and city staff and leads the city’s legal team. The new appointment follows a multi‑stage selection process that included a citizen committee and interviews of three finalists. Commissioners praised the candidates for their qualifications and said the selection process was competitive.

Votes at a glance: M1 (select city attorney finalist) — motion moved by Vice Mayor John C. Herbst; vote: Yes 5–0. Subsequent motion assigning the mayor to negotiate terms — vote: Yes 5–0.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article include Sherry McCartney; Mayor Dean Trantalis; Vice Mayor John C. Herbst; Commissioners Steve Glassman, Pamela Beasley Pittman and Ben Sorensen; and interim city attorney Dwayne M. Spence.