Trial Court Staff Attorney

Job Description

The position of Trial Court Law Clerk/Staff Attorney to the Judges of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court is a professional position that entails research and writing of legal memoranda, draft opinions and draft orders in all types of circuit and county court matters, including but not limited to, criminal matters, including post-conviction motions and related civil matters such as petitions for extraordinary relief filed by or on behalf of sentenced inmates and pretrial detainees, and other miscellaneous pre-trial or post-trial criminal issues, appeals from county court (both civil and criminal), and civil matters, including miscellaneous pre-trial or post-trial civil issues, and domestic relations and family law issues. Work is performed under general supervision of the Supervising Senior Staff Attorney and Judges, and is reviewed in progress, as necessary, and upon completion.

Primary responsibilities include the following:

Assist Criminal Division Judges.

Assist Civil Division Judges.

Assist the Appellate Banc with County-to-Circuit Appeals.

Other duties as assigned.

Examples of Duties Performed

Assist Criminal Division Judges:

Review and monitor post-conviction motions, conduct legal research, make recommendations to judges, and submit proposed orders.

Review miscellaneous pre-trial or post-trial criminal motions, or any other criminal matter as requested, conduct legal research, make recommendations to judges, and submit proposed orders.

Upon request, draft proposed jury instructions and advise as to sentencing options.

Monitor death penalty proceedings, conduct legal research, make recommendations to judges, and submit proposed orders.

Conduct research as to current law, and advise judges on various legal issues.

Assist Civil Division Judges

Review and monitor petitions seeking extraordinary remedies, conduct legal research, make recommendations to judges, draft memoranda law, and submit proposed orders.

Review miscellaneous pre-trial or post-trial civil motions, or any other civil matter as requested, conduct legal research, make recommendations to judges, draft memoranda of law, and submit proposed orders.

Conduct research as to current law, and advise Judges on various legal issues.

Assist Appellate Banc with County-to-Circuit Appeals

Review and monitor appeal files at the pre-disposition stages, conduct legal research, make recommendations to the Appellate Banc, and submit proposed orders to the Appellate Banc.

Once appeals are ready for disposition, review trial records and appellate briefs, conduct legal research, submit memoranda with recommendation to Appellate Banc, and submit proposed opinions to the Appellate Banc.

Other Duties as assigned.

Education and Training Guidelines

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.

Proficient in computerized legal research, including Westlaw and/or Lexis-Nexis.

Work experience, which demonstrates orientation towards public service.

Membership in good standing in the Florida Bar is required.

If not already a member, membership is required within one year of hire.

Valid Florida Driver's License is preferred.

Competencies

Ability to work on occasion outside normal business hours based on operational necessity.

Ability to utilize Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

Knowledge of: Legal principles, statutory and case law, court rules and procedures. Legal publications. Florida State Courts System. Westlaw and/or Lexis, Microsoft Outlook, and Word.

Skills: Manual legal research. Proficient in computerized legal research, including Westlaw and/or Lexis. Legal writing. Proof reading and thorough editing.

Ability to: Reason logically and analytically without biased, unsupported, or creative interpretations of the law. Grasp, comprehend, and analyze complex legal issues and complicated factual details. Work well under pressure, multi-task, and meet established timelines and goals. Perform exacting work, attentive to issues in matters before the court. Comprehend that which is read. Digest and communicate ideas and concepts effectively orally and in writing. Exercise discretion, confidentiality, impartiality, and honesty in handling matters before the court. Act professionally, respectfully, and in a manner becoming of a court employee at all times. Refrain from any behavior that could be deemed divisive or disruptive. Work effectively with others. Work effectively independently. Maintain organization. Prioritize work load. Accept direction, instruction, and constructive criticism in a positive manner. Set aside any bias or prejudice such that all work submitted is neutral and impartial in content and tone. Efficiently operate a computer; utilize Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel and various other software programs and databases such as Westlaw and Lexis. Type 45 correct words per minute. Provide effective, accurate, professional, polite, friendly, and prompt customer service to the public and other agency personnel, AOC employees, and the Judiciary. Maintain consistent and regular attendance, which is required. Travel within the circuit for coverage. Work the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but may on occasion require work outside of those normal business hours, and possibly on weekends or holidays based on operational necessity.

Special Comments

*Salary will include a Competitive Area Differential (CAD) pay additive amount of $291.50 monthly.

*Salary will be 10% below minimum if not passed Florida Bar.

This advertisement is for two Trial Court Staff Attorney positions.

This position is eligible for hybrid-telework after successful completion of training, six-months of continuous service, and management approval.

The Florida State Courts System offers a comprehensive selection of State of Florida employee benefits: membership in the Florida Retirement System, optional enrollment in a subsidized Health insurance plan, optional enrollment in Life, Dental, and Disability insurance plans, and paid term life insurance.

HEADQUARTERS

Staff Attorneys (Trial Court Law Clerks) are generally considered employees of the Administrative Office of the Courts of the entire 20th Judicial Circuit (Lee County, Collier County, Charlotte County, Hendry County, Glades County), and not employees of a specific county.

Regardless of headquarters, Staff Attorneys (Trial Court Law Clerks) may occasionally be required to travel to other counties within the circuit as may be determined by the supervisor and operational necessity.

In addition, Staff Attorneys (Trial Court Law Clerks) may be temporarily or permanently reassigned to headquarters in another county within the circuit as may be determined by the supervisor and operational necessity.