Raul J. Aguila

Born and raised in Miami, Mr. Aguila holds a Bachelor of Arts from Florida International University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law. He is also a member of the Florida Bar.

After having served in the City Attorney’s Office for more than 20 years, Mr. Aguila was unanimously named City Attorney by the Mayor and City Commission in 2014.

During Mr. Aguila’s tenure, the City spearheaded cutting-edge quality-of-life and social equality legislation that has influenced local governments throughout Florida and the country — earning the City the distinction as one of the first U.S. cities to enact human rights legislation and domestic partnership protections.

The City’s Human Rights Ordinance, for instance, broadly protects individuals from discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, and public services.

Additionally, the City was one of the first to pass ordinances guaranteeing a living wage to employees of City contractors, and requiring City contractors to provide equal benefits to the domestic partners of their employees.

In his capacity as City Attorney, and previously, as the lead transactional attorney for the City for over two decades, Mr. Aguila has been personally involved in most, if not all, of the City’s most important public and public-private development projects, including the revitalization of Lincoln Road, the Miami Beach Convention Center, the Loews Hotel, and the New World Center and SoundScape Park (home of the New World Symphony). Most recently, Mr. Aguila advised the City on its $439 million General Obligation Bond Program, which is already revitalizing public spaces, public structures, and public security for the future of Miami Beach.

Raul J. Aguila served as Interim City Manager for the City of Miami Beach (December 12, 2020 – April 21, 2021). As Interim City Manager, Mr. Aguila served as the chief executive officer and head of the administrative branch of the City government, responsible for providing executive level leadership, vision, and guidance to the organization, providing recommendations to the City Commission, and implementing policy directives in an efficient and effective manner. In addition to the daily operations of the City, preparing and administering the budget, planning the development of the City, supervising City employees, interacting with citizen groups and other units of government, and is otherwise responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of and visitors to the City of Miami Beach.