Clearwater officials have chosen a long-time top assistant city attorney to head the legal department.
In a unanimous decision, the City Council on Thursday chose Owen Kohler, 49, for the position of city attorney. Kohler started working with Clearwater in 2018 and has served as interim city attorney since February.
The council directed staff to draft an employment agreement with Kohler and will have to vote again on those terms to make its decision official. Kohler was one of four finalists for the position. The council applauded all of the final candidates, but ultimately landed on Kohler.
Kohler took up the interim post after former City Attorney David Margolis submitted his resignation in December. The city hired Margolis in 2021. Prior to his hiring, the city had the same lead attorney for 27 years.
”He’s going into (it) with eyes wide open, as far as the challenges we face," Mayor Bruce Rector said of Kohler. “He’s helped navigate us through many of those.”
Kohler has more than two decades of legal experience. He first started as assistant city attorney when he joined Clearwater in 2018. He was lead assistant city attorney from December 2019 to February of this year.
During his time as interim city attorney, he’s already been involved in complicated cases. They include a new service contract with Duke Energy, funding for renovations of the Philadelphia Phillies spring training complex and a citizen-led ballot effort for a new city ordinance focused on guarding sales of public rights-of-way downtown.
“In each instance, I have seen him remain prepared, composed and focused on providing clear legal advice so this council can make informed decisions,” Vice Mayor Ryan Cotton said.
Prior to joining Clearwater’s legal team, Kohler was assistant city attorney in Hialeah in Miami-Dade County and general counsel for the Tampa Police Benevolent Association.
In a special work session for the finalists, Kohler said in his first year leading the legal department, he would want to focus on providing stability, “keep things moving” with current city projects and the onboarding of two new council members who will join the dais later this year.
“I’m looking to do the best job I can possibly do,” he said in an interview. “I’m very excited about the opportunity.”
