Legal Assistant

Salary: $21.16 - $37.71 Hourly
Location : Bradenton, FL
Job Type: Full-Time (Hourly)
Job Number: 26-00379
Department: County Attorney
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


General Information
Work Location: Manatee County Administration Building: 1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34205
Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Provides administrative support for one or more Assistant County Attorneys. Performs complex clerical work primarily legal in nature in the administration and operation of the County Attorney's Office.

Working Conditions

Indoor office environment. High noise environment while performing certain responsibilities. Sitting for long periods of time and working on a computer. Lifting boxes or supplies weighing up to 10 pounds.
Job Description
Essential Functions:

These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

Provides administrative support to one or more Assistant County Attorneys.

Maintains calendars for attorneys, coordinates and schedules meetings, depositions, hearings, witness preparation.

Drafts general correspondence and emails.

Maintains case files.

Prepares and assembles hearing notebooks.

Prepares drafts of documents, including, but not limited to, notices of appearance, notices of hearings, notices of taking depositions, and subpoenas.

Proofs documents.

Prepares forms and compiles back up material to process requests for approval of education, training, and travel, and payment of vendors.

Maintains various legal databases.

Performs such other duties or related work (including weather or extreme emergency tasks) as the County Attorney may assign or require.

Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent.

Three (3) or more recent and consecutive years of law office experience performing high quality legal duties.

Valid driver's license required with valid Florida driver's license required within 30 days of hire.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

More
Associate's degree with legal course work is highly desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Able to prioritize tasks, deal effectively with competing and changing priorities, and meet deadlines.

Accurate, detail-oriented, and organized.

Able to analyze and resolve problems and situations.

Good working knowledge and understanding of current state and federal court procedures and policies including virtual hearings and mediations.

Good working knowledge and understanding of business English, spelling, and proper grammar.

Strong verbal and written communication and general math skills required.

Proficient in effectively using modern business and legal software including current Windows operating system, e-mail systems, electronic calendaring and scheduling, word processing programs, metadata screening software, and filing pleadings in either state or federal courts utilizing e-filing and other applications required to perform job duties.

Good interpersonal skills in order to interact professionally and effectively with staff, management, the general public, and other stakeholders.

Able to explain facts, policies, and practices.

This position has been designated by the Board of County Commissioners as serving at the will and pleasure of the County Attorney. Employees so designated may be terminated at any time with or without cause.
Veterans Preference

In accordance with Florida Statute 295.07, F.S., Chapter 55A-7, priority consideration in employment will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of disabled veterans. Applicants claiming preference must provide a DD Form 214 or other acceptable documentation with their application. We are committed to honoring the service and sacrifices of our veterans and their families.

EEO/ADA Statement

Manatee County Government is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Drug-Free Workplace

Manatee County Government is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida Law.

Emergency Response/Recovery Activities

All employees may be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location, and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.
Full Time Positions

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

• ComPsych- offers all employees and their family members with emotional, financial, legal, and work/life balance support.
• LAMP counselors available for personal support including emotional, substance abuse, marital, and financial issues.
• Five (5) free visits annually for employees and covered family members.

Wellbeing Benefits:

• Wellness/Health Coaches (5 Free per year)
• Personal Training (5 Free per year)
• Pharmacy Technician
• Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Management
• Registered Dietician (5 Free per year)
• Massages with licensed therapist (small copay)

Miscellaneous Benefits:

• Workers' Compensation
• Training/Seminars
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Government employee discounts at many retailers and attractions
• Access to Manatee County Library Services (books, digital services, tools, museum passes).

Paid Time Off:

• 12 Paid Holidays including New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Three (3) Personal Holidays
• Personal Sick Leave
• Family Sick Leave
• Sick Leave Bank (Donated Hours)
• Professional Medical Appointment Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave
• Military Training Leave
• FMLA

Vacation Award: Applies to employees regularly scheduled to work 8 hours per day/40 hours per week.
Years of Service Vacation Days
0-5 16.25 days
6-10 19.50 days
11+ 22.75 days

• Eligible employees may earn an additional 2 days of vacation through participation in the Manatee Thrives program

Insurance:

• Award-winning Health Plan with deductibles as low as $0.
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Prescription Insurance
• Life Insurance (6 times salary at low cost)
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance

Retirement:

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) with Pension Plan and Investment Plan options.
• 457b Tax Deferred and ROTH account options through Voya.
• FRS Webinars
• Free financial guidance with licensed, non-commissioned financial planner

Career Wellness:

• Professional Leadership Programs
• Instructor-Led and eLearning Training
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Career Counseling
• Toastmasters
• Networking Membership (Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance)
• Employee Recognition Programs with monetary and time-off awards

Education Benefits:

• Continuing Education support through Training/Seminars and Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladder.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Flexible Spending Account:

• Options for Health Care and Dependent Care Spending Accounts providing pre-tax savings.

Permanent Part Time - Benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
• ComPsych - offers all employees and their family members with emotional, financial, legal, and work/life balance support.
• LAMP counselors available for personal support including emotional, substance abuse, marital, and financial issues.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
• Workers' Compensation
• Training/Seminars
• FRS options
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Government employee discounts at many retailers and attractions
• Access to Manatee County Library Services (books, digital services, tools, museum passes).
Paid Time Off:
• 12 Paid Holidays including New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Three (3) Personal Holidays
• Paid Time Off and Leaves of Absence are based on an 8 hrs./day 80/hrs.
per pay-period basis, any work schedule less that this will be earned on
a pro-rated basis
01



VERY IMPORTANT - When answering supplemental questions about experience, education or certification, please be sure the information is reflected in the Education, Work Experience and Certificates and Licenses sections of your application.


Must include Monthly Salary, Name of Employer, Location, Phone Number and Duties for each employer in Work Experience.
Note: "See Resume" is not acceptable.


Identify all gaps not related to medical reasons.

• I acknowledge the above statement

02


If you are claiming Veteran's Preference, please check category of eligibility

• A disabled veteran who is eligible for receiving compensation under public law administered by Department of Veteran's Affairs and Department of Defense
• The spouse of a veteran who cannot qualify for employment because of total and permanent service-connected disability, or spouse of a veteran missing in action, captured or forcefully detained by a foreign power
• A wartime veteran who has served at least 1 day during a wartime period (active duty for training may not be eligible)
• An un-remarried widow or widower of a Veteran who died of a service-connected disability
• The mother, father, legal guardian, or un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who died as a result of military service under combat-related conditions as verified by the U.S. Department of Defense
• A current member of any reserve component for the United States Armed Forces or the Florida National Guard
• A veteran with a "Honorable" discharge (Active duty for training may not be allowed for eligibility)
• Not claiming Veteran's Preference

03


Which level of education have you achieved?

• No high school equivalency
• High school graduate/equivalent
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree

04


How many years of active experience do you have working as a litigation legal assistant within the last 5 to 7 years?

• None
• 1-2 years
• 3-4 years
• 5+ years

05


Do you possess a valid Florida driver's license or have the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire?

• Yes
• No

06


Please describe your specific role and responsibilities that last time you prepared an attorney for trial.
07


Please list the legal software, time-billing, case management systems you have used daily as a legal assistant and rate your proficiency in each (Beginner, Intermediate, Expert).
08


Please list the specific areas of law you have actively handled within the last 5 years, noting whether the role involved litigation or transactional work.
09


What do you consider your experience level as a legal assistant to be?

• Entry-level
• Mid-level
• Senior/Lead

10


What previous roles have you held that you believe qualify you for this position?
Required Question