TRIAL COURT STAFF ATTORNEY - 22009346

Requisition No: 846773 

Agency: State Courts System

Working Title: TRIAL COURT STAFF ATTORNEY - 22009346

 Pay Plan: State Courts System

Position Number: 22009346 

Salary:  $59,536.56 - $65,908.92 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 05/12/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Position Number

22009346

Position Title

Trial Court Staff Attorney

Job Location

Twelfth Judicial Circuit; Sarasota

Salary Range

$59,536.56 - $65,908.92 Annually

Job Description

The Twelfth Judicial Circuit is hiring a Trial Court Staff Attorney in Sarasota. The essential function of the Trial Court Staff Attorney position is 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

• Conducts legal research of substantive and procedural legal matters, and drafts/prepares legal documents, such as opinions, judgments, post-conviction orders, memoranda or orders concerning extraordinary writs;

• Drafts proposed orders for motions filed in and issues arising during death penalty cases; drafts proposed orders imposing a life-or-death sentence in death penalty cases;

• Reviews files, evidence, depositions, pleadings, motions, legal briefs and memoranda of law, proposed orders, and other related documentation in order to advice judges in a variety of legal areas;

• Provides immediate legal research and recommendations required by judges conducting court sessions;

• Attends staff meetings to exchange information; attends technical or professional workshops, seminars or conferences to improve professional skills; attends hearings as required;

• Assists the circuit court appellate division by drafting bench briefs and/or appellate opinions.

Salary

Annual Salary: $65,908.92 for members of the Florida Bar; $59,536.56 if awaiting results of the Florida Bar or prior to taking the Florida Bar Exam. State employees are paid on the last workday of each month. Benefits include membership in the Florida Retirement System and a generous contribution by the State to health insurance premiums. The successful candidate will be hired at the minimum salary.

Education and Training Guidelines

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school; membership in good standing in the Florida Bar within one year of hire. 

Competencies

Knowledge, skills, and abilities
This position requires knowledge of the legal system; criminal and civil court processes and procedures, and the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below. 

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.

Special Comments

Benefits
As a state or county-funded court employee, you will become eligible for healthcare, retirement savings through a self-directed investment plan or a dedicated pension plan, paid time off plus 12 paid holidays each year.

Career Advancement
Court employees become eligible for tuition programs and career advancement programs to grow or enhance leadership skills.

Our Culture
Court employees can expect a safe and diverse work environment with managers that want to help you succeed.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit a current State of Florida Application State of Florida Employment Application to the Human Resources Manager of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. A cover letter and current resume are encouraged. Application materials may be submitted electronically or via mail delivery.

Email: Human Resources Manager - hr@jud12.flcourts.org
Or mail to: Twelfth Judicial Circuit
Human Resources Manager
P.O. Box 48927
Sarasota, FL 34230

Website: Career Opportunities

If you do not submit a State of Florida application, you will not be considered. If you have submitted a State of Florida application directly to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit within the past 12 months, please indicate - you will not be required to submit a new application.
The successful applicant will be subject to a Criminal Background Check. The Florida State Courts System is a criminal justice agency. We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability. If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the application/selection process, please call 941-861-7811.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.