Tampa city attorney departs to work for Tampa Bay Storm owner Vinik

Jim Shimberg Jr., Tampa’s city attorney for the past two years, announced that he will leave City Hall for a new position at the Tampa Bay Storm’s parent company, which also owns the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Shimberg will begin his new position with Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment on May 1, the Tampa Tribune said. Shimberg, a land-use specialist, has 26 years of experience and is a veteran of the Holland & Knight law firm. He is expected to begin his new job as the executive vice president and general counsel, the Tribune said.

Lightning CEO Tod Leiweke said Shimberg will provide expertise to the company’s leadership and will be responsible for the organization’s legal issues, including owner Jeff Vinik’s separate real estate interests.