TRIAL COURT STAFF ATTORNEY

Requisition No: 873116

Agency: State Courts System

Title: Trial Court Staff Attorney

Position Number: 22011415

Salary: $60,683.52 – $67,183.44 Annually

Salary Range

$67,183.44 for members of the Florida Bar. $60,683.52 if awaiting results of the Florida Bar or prior to taking the Florida Bar Exam.

Job Description

The essential function of the Trial Court Staff Attorney position is the research and writing of legal memoranda, draft opinions, orders, and reports; conduct legal research; review briefs and case files in numerous areas of law, including appeals from county court (both civil and criminal), complex civil litigation, constitutional questions, complex family law cases and criminal matters, including post‑conviction motions and related civil matters such as petitions for extraordinary relief filed by or on behalf of sentenced inmates, pretrial detainees and other litigants.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Circuit’s Senior Staff Attorneys, Court Administrator and Judges, and is reviewed in progress, as necessary, and upon completion.

Examples of Work Performed

• Conduct legal research of substantive and procedural legal matters and draft/pre‑prepare legal documents such as opinions, judgments, post‑conviction orders, and memoranda or orders concerning extraordinary writs.
• Draft proposed orders for motions filed in and issues arising during death penalty cases; draft proposed orders imposing a life‑or‑death sentence in death penalty cases.
• Review 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.
• Provide immediate legal research and recommendations required by judges conducting court sessions.
• Attend staff meetings to exchange information; attend technical or professional workshops, seminars or conferences to improve professional skills; attend hearings as required.
• Assist the circuit court appellate division by drafting bench briefs and/or appellate opinions.

Education and Training Guidelines

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.

Requires membership in the Florida Bar within one year of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Knowledge: Legal principles, statutory and case law, court rules and procedures, legal publications, Florida State Courts System.

Skills: Manual legal research; computerized legal research, including Westlaw and Lexis‑Nexis; legal writing and drafting.

Abilities: Reason logically and analytically; grasp, comprehend and analyze complex legal issues and complicated factual details; digest and communicate ideas and concepts orally and in writing; exercise discretion, confidentiality, impartiality and honesty.

Benefits

Annual salary ranges as listed above.

The successful applicant will be subject to a Criminal Background Check.

Equal‑Opportunity Employer Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability. The State of Florida supports a Drug‑Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with the Florida Law and the State of Florida is an EEO employer.

Location: Sarasota, FL, 34231