Julia C. Mandell Attorney At Law

In-the-trenches legal advisor representing private and public clients in regulatory and policy matters at the local and state level. Former Tampa City Attorney and served as chair of Mayor Jane Castor’s Development Services and Support Advisory Team.

Julia Mandell is a uniquely talented, process-oriented lawyer advising governmental and business clients throughout the Tampa Bay area. After serving as a long-time public lawyer, she now focuses on counseling and consulting, bringing more than 25 years of invaluable in-house experience to her municipal services practice. Julia works alongside clients to navigate and translate the intricacies of government law and public policy issues. Her particular brand of inside expertise is especially timely and sought after by clients as governmental operations continue to be impacted by the current complicated regulatory climate. Julia helps clients get from point A to point B, translating bureaucracy into meaningful action.

Board certified by The Florida Bar in City, County, and Local Government Law, Julia counsels clients on land use, zoning, development, permitting, real estate, environmental, eminent domain, entitlement, telecommunications, and litigation associated with these areas. She also assists clients in managing procurement issues, having served as a procurement hearing officer for governmental entities, and handles contract negotiations with government agencies and public infrastructure projects. Known for her candor and patience, Julia partners with small and large governmental entities, as well as business clients of all sizes and types in the commercial real estate, health care, transportation, restaurant and hospitality, and cannabis sectors. Notable clients include the Tampa Sports Authority, Hillsborough County School Board, Hillsborough County Transit Authority, Strategic Property Partners, City of South Pasadena, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and Advent Health. She frequently collaborates with GrayRobinson professionals in the alcohol beverage, corporate, government affairs and lobbying, real estate, and litigation practice areas.

Julia has always enjoyed the interplay between her public service and private practice, weaving the two together seamlessly for the benefit of her clients and colleagues. She served for more than a decade with the Tampa City Attorney’s Office, spending the last three years as city attorney, where she was only the second woman to hold that position. Previously, she served as an assistant county attorney for Hillsborough County.

• Notable Work
  • Negotiated the contract between the Tampa Sports Authority and the NFL for Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium.
  • Provided regulatory assistance in the development of Water Street Tampa, a significant mixed-use project in Downtown Tampa.
  • Facilitating land use applications in the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County to site much-needed public schools for the School Board of Hillsborough County.
  • Guiding local permitting approvals for Cigar City Brewing’s Spruce Street Brewery and Tap Room.   
• Recognition
  • Best Lawyers in America, Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Municipal, Municipal Law, 2024
  • Tampa Bay Business Journal, BusinessWoman of the Year Awards, 2024
• Insights
  • “Development Agreements in Florida: The ‘Multiverse’ of Agreements,” Florida Municipal Attorneys Association (FMAA) 40th Annual Seminar, July 29, 2022
  • Moderator, "New Year = New Biden Administration: What Should We Expect?" GrayRobinson Webinar, January 13, 2021
• Media
  • "Meet Julia Mandell, a 2024 BusinessWoman of the Year honoree," Tampa Bay Business Journal, March 28, 2024
  • "Tampa luxury condo planned at Bayshore synagogue: a way to coexist?," Tampa Bay Times, May 4, 2023
  • "Tampa Garden Club says Bayshore tower could close facility," Tampa Bay Times, December 20, 2022
• Affiliations
  • Adjunct Professor, Masters in Urban and Regional Planning, University of South Florida, 2023
  • Mayor Jane Castor Advisory Team
    • Development Services and Support, Chair, 2019
  • Accendo LEADForward Roundtables, 2021
  • Leadership Tampa, 2015
  • Westshore Alliance
    • Board Member
• Credentials
  • J.D., University of Florida College of Law, 1995
  • B.A., University of Florida, with High Honors, 1992
  • Board Certified by The Florida Bar in City, County and Local Government Law
• Admissions
  • Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida