Trial Court Staff Attorney

The Sixteenth Judicial Circuit seeks to fill a judicial staff attorney position in Plantation Key, Florida. The successful applicant will join a team of experienced staff attorneys responsible for assisting the judiciary with case management, pending litigation and issues, and/or process criminal and civil appeals. The position is responsible for drafting memoranda, opinions, orders and reports; conducting legal research; reviewing briefs and case files; and advising judges on pending litigation and issues. The position works under the general supervision of the General Counsel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

NOTE: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
• Reviews files, evidence, depositions, pleadings, motions, legal briefs, and memoranda of law, proposed orders and other related documentation in order to advise judges in a variety of legal areas;
• Conducts legal research of substantive and procedural legal matters, and drafts/prepares legal documents, such as opinions, judgments, post-conviction orders, memoranda or orders concerning extraordinary writs;
• Review motions for post-conviction relief brought pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure Section 3.850;
• Research the application and interpretation of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration.
• Conduct legislative research;
• Perform research on specific questions of law as presented by judges sitting in the circuit civil, criminal, family, and probate divisions, and the county civil, criminal, and small claims divisions;
• Perform other related duties as required;
• Drafts proposed orders for motions filed in and issues arising during death penalty cases;
• Provides immediate legal research and recommendations required by judges conducting court sessions;
• Attends staff meetings to exchange information; attends technical or professional workshops, seminars or conferences to improve professional skills; attends hearings as required;
• Assists the circuit court appellate division by drafting bench briefs and/or appellate opinions.

Salary

• $5,805.29/month

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited law school and membership in the Florida Bar. Law School graduates awaiting the Florida Bar results or anticipating taking the Florida Bar will be expected to attain membership in the Florida Bar within one year of the date of hire.

Competencies Other Information

The salary is $69,663.48 annually, which includes a CAD; If the selected applicant is not a member of the Florida Bar at the time of hire, per the Florida Courts Salary Schedule, the salary base is 10% below the minimum, and the applicant must become a member of the Florida Bar within one year of hire.

The Florida State Courts System offers a comprehensive selection of benefits to include but not limited to:
• Vacation and sick leave
• Paid holidays, including one personal holiday per year
• Membership in the Florida Retirement System
• Health, Life, Dental, Vision, and additional supplemental insurance plans

• EOE: The court encourages a diverse staff and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, disabilities, or sexual orientations. We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, marital status or disability.
• ADA: If you need accommodations to participate in the application / selection process, please notify us in advance at (305)295-3652; to make a call through the Florida Relay Service you can dial 7-1-1
This Organization Participates in E-Verify: Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. The 16th Judicial Circuit participates in the U.S. Government’s Electronic Employment Verification Program (E-Verify) to assist in this required verification process. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) upon hire within the first 3 days of employment. For information about E-Verify, please visit: https://www.e-verify.gov/employees
Notice - The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

How to Apply

For more information and to apply please visit our website at www.KeysCourts.net, select the Employment Tab. The Application Packet may be emailed to Personnel@Keyscourts.net. For further questions, please call 305-295-3652.
Application Packet Must Include:
1) State of Florida Application
2) Current Resume
3) Cover Letter
4) Writing Sample
5) List of Professional References
6) Copy of Unofficial College Transcripts Graduate and Undergraduate)

Only complete packets will be considered for this position. Questions can be submitted to Personnel@Keyscourts.net.