TRIAL COURT STAFF ATTORNEY - 22008298

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.

A Staff Attorney's primary responsibilities include the following: (1) Assist Criminal Division Judges, (2) Assist Civil Division Judges, (3) Assist the Appellate Banc with County-to-Circuit Appeals, (4) Other duties as assigned.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.
(1) 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.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) Other Duties as assigned

• 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
• Ability to work on occasion outside normal business hours based on operational necessity
• Ability to utilize Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Membership in good standing in the Florida Bar is required. If not already a member, membership is required within one year of hire
• This position is eligible for hybrid-telework after successful completion of training, six-months of continuous service, and management approval

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Work experience which demonstrates orientation towards public service.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Membership in good standing in the Florida Bar is required. If not already a member, membership within one year of hire is required.
• Valid Florida Driver's License is preferred

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.

*This position is eligible for a Competitive Area Differential (CAD) as approved by the Florida State Court System up to $3,498.00 annually.

REMOTE EMPLOYMENT: Flexible/Hybrid

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS FOR THE 20TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT?

• Great working environment
• Growth and Development Opportunities
• Competitive Benefits Package
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualifying Employer
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan Options
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plans 

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.

Employer

Florida State Courts, Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Office of the Courts

Address

AOC Human Resources, Rm 201, Justice Center Annex
1700 Monroe Street
Fort Myers, Florida, 33901

Phone

239-533-1710
239-533-1705

Website

http://www.ca.cjis20.org

Staff Attorney (Lee, Collier and Charlotte County) Supplemental Questionnaire

For more information and to apply please visit our website at www.ca.cjis20.org, select the Employment Link and click job opportunities.

For questions, please contact HumanResources@ca.cjis20.org or 239-533-1705