Clifford R. Friedman is the Director of Human Resources & Risk Management for the City of Coral Gables. In this role, he serves as a strategic advisor to the city's leadership team and is responsible for overseeing the city's human resources functions, labor relations strategies, and risk management operations. He has significant experience advising public and private-sector organizations on labor and employment issues, negotiating complex contractual arrangements, and ensuring organizational compliance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

Friedman joined the city in 2024 as an Assistant City Attorney, where he provided legal counsel to city departments, staff, and boards. Prior to joining the city, he worked in both the legal and human resources fields. Most recently, he served as in-house counsel to a large, publicly traded healthcare company, providing legal counsel to senior leadership on operations, contracts, human resources and regulatory issues. He also previously served in leadership roles with the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, including as the department's Director of Talent & Risk Management. In this role, he directed the human resources and risk management functions of the department, provided guidance to senior leadership, and served as a member of the department's emergency response leadership team. 

Friedman earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Chico. He is admitted to practice law in Florida.