Gabriel has been with the Office of General Counsel for more than five years, and has served as general counsel since July 1, 2014. 

Mayor Curry had previously appointed Jason acting general counsel in July of 2015. 

In this capacity, Gabriel leads a legal staff serving the mayor, the city’s five constitutional officers, the 19 City Council representatives, seven School Board members, 30 boards and commissions, five independent authorities and all 10 executive branches of Jacksonville’s city government.  

“Jason has an enormous scope of responsibility and he has done an amazing job,” said Mayor Curry.  “He is one of only six attorneys in Jacksonville who is Board Certified in City, County & Local Government Law by the Florida Bar.  The General Counsel Search Committee considered many candidates and Jason was clearly the one attorney who will best serve Jacksonville for years to come.”

Former Jacksonville Mayor Delaney personally thanked Committee members Mary Bland Love, Mike Tanner, and former city General Counsels Rick Mullaney and Fred Franklin for their service.  “I would also like to add that the staff support from the city was simply terrific to work with and should be commended,” Delaney said

About Jason R. Gabriel

Prior to joining the Office of General Counsel, Gabriel specialized in the areas of Land Use, Zoning, and Local Government Law as well as Real Estate and Financial Transactions, Development and Preservation initiatives, with the law firm of Edwards Cohen.  Gabriel represented and counseled clients in obtaining various Land Use, Zoning and Entitlement approvals.  He is experienced in permitting and navigating through the various regulatory processes, as well as negotiating, drafting and handling multi-faceted Commercial and Real Estate transactions and closings.

Gabriel currently provides counsel in the areas of City, County and Local Government law including Constitutional Law, Elections Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Planning and Development, Community Redevelopment, Economic Development, Ethics, Procurement, Legislative Affairs, Sovereign Immunity, Civil Rights, Labor and Employment and General Litigation.

Gabriel received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Cum Laude, from the University of Florida in 1998 with a major in Philosophy, and a Juris Doctorate Degree, from the University of Florida in 2001.

While in law school, Gabriel clerked for the Honorable Toby S. Monaco in the 8th Judicial Circuit of Florida, and served as a Legal Research & Writing and Appellate Advocacy Teaching Assistant.

Gabriel is a member of the Florida Bar, a member of the City, County and Local Government Law Section of the Florida Bar, and a member of the U.S. Middle District Court of Florida. He also serves as the State Chair of Florida for the International Municipal Lawyers Association ("IMLA") and is an active member of the Florida Association of County Attorneys ("FACA").

Mr. Gabriel has been recognized as a Legal EliteTM attorney by Florida Trend Magazine (including the July 2015 edition) and has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review RatingTM by Martindale-Hubbell®.  Mr. Gabriel is a Board Certified Specialist, as designated by the Florida Bar, in City, County & Local Government Law.

Gabriel is married to Fadia Gabriel, his wife of 11 years.  Fadia serves as a public school teacher in the Duval County Public School System and is actively involved in St. Paul’s Catholic Church in a variety of roles.

The Gabriel’s have three lovely daughters and the family loves music, film, writing and reading.

Gabriel’s salary is being negotiated and his appointment is subject to confirmation by the Jacksonville City Council.