Trial Court Staff Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Application Deadline – Open Until Filled

Position may be filled at the Supervising Trial Court Staff Attorney level or a Trial Court Staff Attorney I, II, or Senior level.  The classification level will be determined based on the selected candidate’s education, experience, licensure, and other applicable minimum qualifications. The Chief Judge may approve retention of current salary for employees transferring between circuits.

How to Apply :

A State of Florida Application is required for this position. Please upload this completed form when you apply. 

State of Florida Application

Applications must be completed in full. Applications containing the verbiage “please refer to resume” will NOT be considered.

• 2 Writing Samples (less than 10 pages each),
• Law School Transcripts, and
• Proof of Membership in the Florida Bar, if applicable.

General Statement of Job

This is a highly professional position that assists trial court judges within the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit by conducting legal research, preparing memoranda of law, drafting proposed orders, and attending court proceedings.  This position will focus mainly on the following matters: civil (including discovery, motions to dismiss, and motions for summary judgment), appellate (including driver’s license suspensions and administrative agency decisions), family, adoptions, and probate/guardianship. The successful applicant will demonstrate proficiency in legal research, writing, proofreading, and citations; exceptional attention to detail; the ability to analyze and comprehend statutes, rules, and procedures; the ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; the ability to effectively prioritize and promptly complete assignments; and the ability to work effectively with others as well as independently.  Staff Attorney work is performed under the general supervision of the Supervising Staff Attorney and judges, and progress is reviewed as required and applicable.  The Supervising Staff Attorney position works under the direct supervision of General Counsel, and is responsible for training, supervising, coordinating work assignments, and evaluating the performance of the Trial Court Staff Attorneys in Seminole County. This position may be partially remote.

Education/Experience Guidelines

• Supervising Trial Court Staff Attorney : Graduation from an accredited law school.  Membership in good standing with The Florida Bar.  At least five years of work experience in the practice of law, including at least two years of managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience.
  
• Senior Trial Court Staff Attorney : Graduation from an accredited law school.  Membership in good standing with The Florida Bar.  At least five years of work experience in the practice of law or as a law clerk in an appellate or trial court.

• Trial Court Staff Attorney II : Graduation from an accredited law school.  Membership in good standing with The Florida Bar.  Less than five years of work experience in the practice of law.

• Trial Court Staff Attorney I : Graduation from an accredited law school.  Membership in good standing with The Florida Bar is required within one year of hire.

Benefit Details

• Paid Leave & Holidays
• State of Florida Health Benefits
• Supplemental Insurance (Dental, Vision, Disability, Optional Life, Cancer, etc.)
• No Cost Basic Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation

(457b Pre-Tax & 457b Roth)

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) Benefits
• Tax-Favored Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Support
• State Employee Tuition Waiver

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit is an equal opportunity employer that actively pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of nor manifest by words or conduct, bias or prejudice based on race, color, religion, age (40 or older), sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), national origin, language, marital status, socioeconomic status, or disability or genetic information, which does not preclude performance of essential job functions, and reasonable accommodation(s) is provided, as necessary and judicious.

If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in the application/selection process, you are entitled, at no cost to you, the provision of certain assistance. Please notify Court Administration at View phone number on ziprecruiter.com prior to the application deadline. If you are hearing or voice impaired, please call through the Florida Relay Service (TDD) View phone number on ziprecruiter.com.

Background Check

Employment is provisional pending the results of a successful background investigation and fingerprinting.

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 Eighteenth Judicial Circuit participates in the U.S. Government’s Electronic Employment Verification Program (E-Verify) to assist in this required verification process for all state-funded positions. 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.

Drug-Free Workplace

It is an objective of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit to achieve a drug-free workplace. Any applicant for employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing court service for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, and the trust placed in our organization by the public.

At-Will Employment

Pursuant to 110.205(2)(c) of the Florida Statutes, employment with the State Courts System is not covered under the Career Service System and all employees of the State Systems serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and do not attain tenure rights, i.e., employees can be terminated with or without cause by the Court.