Associate Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Zoecklein Law, P.A. is expanding its Florida presence with the opening of a Sarasota office and is seeking an experienced, motivated attorney to become a key member of the firm's Sarasota team.

This position is ideal for an attorney who wants the resources, systems, and support of an established Florida law firm while also having the opportunity to help develop and grow a new local office.

The attorney will primarily handle probate and trust litigation, contested estates, probate matters, estate planning, guardianship matters, and related real property disputes. The attorney will work closely with the firm's senior attorneys and centralized support team while managing Sarasota-area clients and matters from initial consultation through resolution.

The role requires strong litigation skills, sound judgment, excellent client communication, and a willingness to become an active professional presence in the Sarasota legal and business community.

At Zoecklein Law, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality legal representation with a personal touch. Many of our clients come to us during some of the most difficult periods of their lives. Our attorneys are expected to combine strong advocacy with professionalism, empathy, responsiveness, and care.

Sarasota Office Responsibilities

As an attorney helping establish the Sarasota office, responsibilities include:

• Serve as a primary attorney presence for the firm's Sarasota office.
• Conduct in-person and virtual consultations with prospective Sarasota-area clients.
• Meet with existing clients at the Sarasota office when appropriate.
• Represent the firm in Sarasota and surrounding counties at hearings, mediations, depositions, trials, and other proceedings.
• Develop strong professional relationships within the Sarasota legal and professional community.
• Participate in appropriate local bar, professional, networking, educational, and community activities.
• Assist firm leadership with identifying opportunities to expand the firm's Sarasota presence.
• Maintain the same client-service, responsiveness, case-management, and operational standards required throughout all Zoecklein Law offices.
• Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, intake personnel, and administrative staff located throughout the firm's other Florida offices.
• Provide feedback to firm leadership regarding Sarasota-area client needs, referral opportunities, practice trends, and office-growth opportunities.
• As the Sarasota office grows, assist with the integration and mentorship of additional attorneys and legal support personnel assigned to the location.

Litigation & Legal Responsibilities

• Represent clients in probate litigation, trust disputes, contested estates, fiduciary disputes, and real property matters.
• Handle probate, estate planning, guardianship, trust administration, and other matters within the attorney's experience and firm needs.
• Manage assigned cases from intake through final resolution.
• Develop case strategy based upon applicable law, available evidence, client objectives, risks, and potential outcomes.
• Draft and review pleadings, motions, memoranda, discovery, correspondence, settlement documents, and other legal filings.
• Conduct legal research and prepare written legal analysis.
• Conduct and defend depositions.
• Prepare clients and witnesses for depositions, hearings, mediations, and trial.
• Prepare for and appear at hearings, mediations, settlement conferences, and trials.
• Negotiate settlements and advise clients regarding litigation risks, costs, strategy, and potential outcomes.
• Ensure deadlines, court orders, discovery obligations, and litigation milestones are properly calendared and completed.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and organized electronic case files.

Initially, the position has no additional personnel supervisory responsibilities beyond the attorney's assigned paralegal. Supervisory responsibilities may expand as the Sarasota office grows.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong litigation, legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Strong knowledge of Florida civil litigation procedure.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to independently manage an active caseload while working collaboratively with a larger team.
• Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines, hearings, consultations, and client needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work compassionately with clients experiencing difficult circumstances.
• Professional judgment, integrity, discretion, and accountability.
• Ability to supervise and effectively collaborate with an assigned paralegal.
• Comfortable working within a technology-driven, systems-oriented law firm.
• Ability and willingness to help establish and grow the firm's presence in the Sarasota market.

Education and Experience

**Required:
**

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in The Florida Bar and in good standing.
• Approximately 1–3 years of litigation experience .
• Demonstrated experience drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, handling hearings, and managing litigation matters.

**Preferred, but not required:
**

• Probate, trust, estate, guardianship, or fiduciary litigation experience.
• Experience independently managing a litigation caseload.
• Existing familiarity with the Sarasota legal community and local courts.
• Experience with client consultations and business development.
• Trial, deposition, and mediation experience.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to access and navigate office facilities, including conference rooms, supply areas, and common areas.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Ability to travel to courthouses, mediations, depositions, satellite offices, and other professional locations as required.

Travel Requirements

Local and regional travel is required, including travel to courts, hearings, depositions, mediations, client meetings, professional events, and other Zoecklein Law offices as business needs require.

Zoecklein Law, P.A. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify