Attorney

Job Title

Legal Assistant

Job Description

Provides legal work in the examination and preparation of legislation, legislative programs, legal instruments, opinions, briefs, or other documents; conducts research to assist a higher level attorney or staff director; and provides counsel and advice to legislative committees.

Financial Disclosure: Pursuant to sections 112.3144 and 112.3145, F.S., this position is required to electronically file a Form 1 –Statement of Financial Interests with the Florida Commission on Ethics within 30 days of hire.

Examples Of Work Performed

• Assists with legal research in evaluating state statutes and preparation of legal opinions on questions submitted by authorized persons.
• Prepares and drafts routine legal documents for authorized parties.
• Drafts legislative bills, resolutions, memorials, and amendments in technically complete language, under supervision.
• Provides legal counsel and advice to Legislators and legislative committees on legal matters including the development of legislation and legislative programs, and interprets state and federal legislation related to programs of any governmental unit.
• Recommends needed changes to legislation based upon trends in case law, agency comment or citizen concern upon Legislator or legislative staff request.
• Performs legal research concerning the interpretation of Florida Statutes and on other matters in question for Legislators and staff, and answers telephone inquiries and composes routine responses to constituents.
• Assists in representing the Legislature in court and at legislative or administrative hearings under supervision of more experienced attorneys.
• Reviews agency action pursuant to Chapter 120, the Administrative Procedures Act, to identify instances of the invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority; monitors Florida court cases and administrative decisions and advises agencies accordingly; prepares and presents proposed objections to full committee; reviews statutes passed each session and calls to the attention of the agencies all those which may require administrative rule promulgation, repeal or amendment.
• Drafts Reviser's Bills; edits and revises the text of the Florida Statutes manuscript; indexes new legislation for the Florida Statutes, the Digest of General Laws, and the Laws of Florida.
• Maintains communications with agency heads, or their assigned deputies, assistants, and agency general counsels.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of legal terminology.
• Knowledge of Florida laws and legal procedure.
• Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, research, and organization.
• Ability to provide legal counsel.
• Ability to interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules.
• Ability to employ legal reasoning and to foresee possible legal problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to take action in situations which lack clear direction.
• Ability to take initiative on independent research projects.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public, press, and lobbyists.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to use independent judgment when releasing information to the public.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Ability to conduct meetings and to make presentations.
• Ability to perform legal writing and prepare various legal documents.
• Ability to research legal documents and legal references.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of legal terminology.
• Knowledge of Florida laws and legal procedure.
• Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, research, and organization.
• Ability to provide legal counsel.
• Ability to interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules.
• Ability to employ legal reasoning and to foresee possible legal problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to take action in situations which lack clear direction.
• Ability to take initiative on independent research projects.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public, press, and lobbyists.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to use independent judgment when releasing information to the public.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Ability to conduct meetings and to make presentations.
• Ability to perform legal writing and prepare various legal documents.
• Ability to research legal documents and legal references.
• Attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar.

Salary commensurate with experience. The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Working for the Florida Legislature includes a lucrative benefits package, including affordable health insurance options, free dental, long-term disability and employee life insurance, as well as competitive retirement. Employees have access to a college tuition waiver program, an employee assistance program, paid annual and sick leave, and paid holidays.

Health and Dental Insurance Employees have a choice of participating in the State Self Insured Plan or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) if available in the county of residence or employment (Standard and High Deductible Investor plans are available). Full-time employees pay $30 per month for family coverage or $8.34 per month for individual coverage. Part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For dental insurance, the Legislature offers a PPO plan that offers choice of dentist and pays from 50 to 100 percent of usual, customary, and reasonable charges. There is a $1500 maximum benefit per plan year. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.

Leave Accrual Benefits Annual Leave accrues as follows based on creditable state service: Up to 5 years - 11 hours per month 5 to 10 years - 13 hours per month Over 10 years - 15 hours per month Sick Leave accrues at 9 hours per month for all full-time employees.

Life and Disability Insurance Group Term life Insurance with an accidental death and dismemberment benefit provides $25,000 coverage. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For disability insurance, the Legislature offers a Group Long Term Disability Insurance Plan that provides a monthly benefit of 60 percent of covered monthly earnings after an elimination period of 360 days. The Legislature pays the total premium.

Retirement Participation in the Florida Retirement System is compulsory for all salaried staff, except certain re-employed retirees. New employees have until the end of the eighth month following their first month of employment to select a retirement plan, from the traditional pension plan or the investment plan. New employees will receive an informational packet approximately two months after the hire date. Members and staff contribute 3% of their salary towards retirement and the Legislature pays the remainder of the premium.

Florida Pre-Tax Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan This state sponsored program includes Supplemental Insurance Plans, Health Savings Account (when enrolled with an Investor Health Plan), and a Flexible Spending Program on a pretax basis. The Supplemental Insurance Plans include hospitalization, cancer/intensive care, dental, vision, and accidental/disability. The Flexible Spending Program includes healthcare and dependent care accounts. A competitive Deferred Compensation Plan is also offered. The State of Florida Deferred Compensation Plan offers a number of investment options including variable annuities, mutual funds, and a bank, with a variety of contract providers.

Paid Holidays New Year's Day - Martin Luther King Day - Memorial Day - Independence Day - Labor Day - Veteran's Day - Thanksgiving Day - Friday After Thanksgiving - Christmas Day - Personal Holiday

Total Compensation Statement The Total Compensation Statement provides a monetary value of each benefit listed below as well as a total annual compensation estimate. The annual salary amount used in this example is $60,000. Note : All values are based on individual plans.