County Attorney

Chasity H. O'Steen County Attorney

The County Attorney’s Office provides legal counsel and advice to Leon County Government, which includes the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administrator, and County Departments, as well as certain boards and agencies organized under the Board of County Commissioners.  Legal services include advising and counseling our client; drafting and reviewing contracts, ordinances, and resolutions; pursuing and defending civil actions at all levels of State and Federal courts; and, coordinating legal services in general on behalf of Leon County Government.    
 

Chasity H. O'Steen became County Attorney in April 2020.  Prior to her appointment, Ms. O’Steen served as General Counsel of the State of Florida’s Department of Management Services and Department of Financial Services.  Ms. O’Steen received Bachelor and Juris Doctorate degrees from Florida State University.  Since being admitted to The Florida Bar in 2003, Ms. O’Steen has represented state and local governments in a variety of areas, including ethics, procurement and contracts, public records, federal and state grants funding, water and wastewater utilities, finance, labor and employment law, real estate, and civil litigation.  Ms. O’Steen is a member of the Executive Council of the City, County and Local Government Section of The Florida Bar, and she has previously served on the Second Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee and as a member of the Second Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission. 

Ms. O'Steen is assisted in representing Leon County Government by:

LaShawn D. Riggans Deputy County Attorney

LaShawn D. Riggans joined the County Attorney's Office in January 2011 after five years as an Assistant State Attorney in the First Judicial Circuit where she prosecuted felony cases.  Ms. Riggans is a 2006 graduate of the Florida Coastal School of Law and also holds a Master of Public Administration.  In addition to serving as backup to the County Attorney, Ms. Riggans’ primary areas of concentration are labor and employment, tourism, public records, ethics, risk management, public safety – animal control and emergency medical services, and litigation.

Daniel J. Rigo Sr. Assistant County Attorney

Daniel J. Rigo joined the County Attorney’s Office in January 2002 after six years with the State of Florida Attorney General’s Office in its eminent domain division and five years in the private sector. Mr. Rigo is a 1992 graduate of the Stetson University College of Law and holds an undergraduate degree in Real Estate from Georgia State University. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Rigo worked as a commercial real estate appraiser and has utilized that knowledge in providing legal support for the County’s real estate and eminent domain matters. He also provides legal support in the area of public works.

Emily Pepin Bouza Assistant County Attorney

Emily Pepin Bouza joined the County Attorney’s Office in January 2019 after seven years with the Collier County Attorney’s Office handling primarily eminent domain and land use matters. Ms. Bouza is a 2011 graduate of the Florida State University College of Law and holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Florida.  Ms. Bouza’s primary areas of concentration are land use, zoning, environmental, and comprehensive planning.

Kyle L. Kemper Assistant County Attorney

Kyle Kemper joined the County Attorney’s Office in March 2020 after more than 16 years in private practice in the areas of government, administrative, utilities, and healthcare law. Mr. Kemper is a 2002 graduate of the Florida State University College of Law and served as an Articles & Notes Editor for the Journal of Land Use and Environmental Law.  He provides legal support for the County primarily in the areas of code compliance services, housing, human services and community partnerships, parks and recreation, public works, and real estate management.

Christina M. Smiekle Assistant County Attorney

Christina Smiekle joined the County Attorney’s Office in November 2021 after five years representing the State of Florida in the areas of business and professional regulation, health, and transportation. Ms. Smiekle is a 2016 graduate of the Florida State University College of Law where she was member of the College of Law’s Trial Team and a first place winner of the Frederick Douglass National Moot Court Competition. She provides legal support for the County primarily in the areas of procurements and contracts.

The County Attorney's Office does not provide legal advice and counsel to the general public or individual citizens.

Legal resources for the general public and individual citizens include private practice attorneys and the following:

The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service

(800) 342-8011

The Tallahassee Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service

(850) 222-3292

Legal Services of North Florida

(850) 385-7603