- May 13, 2025
With County Attorney Al Hadeed’s retirement rapidly approaching, the Flagler County Commission is ready to advertise the position to new applicants.
Hadeed, who has been the county attorney since 2007, announced his retirement in March, effective Aug. 1. Instead of hiring a search firm, the county has elected to advertise the position itself through the Human Resources department.
The county has just over three months to advertise the position, receive applicants, interview, hire and train a replacement before Hadeed leaves.
And it might even be less time – in the April 21 commission workshop meeting, during a presentation on the proposed advertisement for county attorney job, Commissioner Leann Pennington said Hadeed might decide to take vacation time ahead of his final day, leaving less time for training.
Initially, the advertisement proposed to be for 30 days before reviewing the applicants, with advertising beginning on April 23. Based on a 30-day timeline, that would mean the commissioners would be finalizing their top five candidates at the June 2 meeting, having in-person interviews at the end of June and beginning contract negotiations by the first week of July.
Pennington and Commission Chair Andy Dance said they were worried the timeline would not leave enough room for training before Hadeed leaves.
Because of the turnaround concerns, the commission told Human Resources Director Charlie Picano he could modify the advertising period to three weeks from four. Richardson pointed out that the commission could always extend the position’s advertisement if there are not enough qualified applicants.
“We won’t know until we go fishing,” she said.
That change could potentially move up the hiring process by at least one week, assuming the commission finds a qualified candidate they like.
But if the position is filled internally – potentially by Deputy County Attorney Sean Moylan – the board would not need to be concerned about training.
“Hopefully Sean also applies and we don’t have to worry about that,” Dance said.
In an email to the Observer, Moylan, who was hired by Hadeed in 2014, confirmed he to apply for the job.
Picano said he doesn’t expect the county will be flooded with applicants, and so is not instituting a cutoff for the number off applications accepted.
Hadeed helped the HR staff create a list of the county attorney job requirements, Picano said. According to a draft of the position advertisement, those requirements include "knowledge of common law and of local, state, and federal laws and precedents," the "ability to deal tactfully and effectively with County personnel, court officials and personnel and the public," and the "ability to meet with citizens, County officials and/or Commissioners regarding items of public concern."
Picano said he is recommending the county offer a salary range $175,000-$250,000. The commission also agreed on requiring an applicant to be a member of the Florida Bar, two years of supervising or management of other attorneys and have a minimum of five years of experience, though 10 is preferred.
Originally, Picano suggested a 10 years of experience as the requirement but Commissioner Kim Carney suggested that limiting the application that way might lock out well-qualified candidates who just miss the cut off.
“I hate to miss an opportunity for a very talented prospect based on the fact that they don't meet the 10 years,” Carney said. “I would like to see all potential, high-energy, thinking-out-of-the-box [candidates], someone that can come in and make some good recommendations.”
