Litigation - General (consumer) Attorney in Punta Gorda, FL

Government

Punta Gorda, FL

Litigation - General (consumer) Attorney in Punta Gorda, FL

Attorney

Min 1 yrs required

No

Position Title

Trial Court Staff Attorney

Job Location

20th Judicial Circuit; Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties

Salary Range

$63, annually (10% below minimum if not yet passed the Florida Bar). This position is also eligible for a Competitive Area Differential (CAD) as approved by the Florida State Court System up to $3, annually.

Job Description

The position of Trial Court Staff Attorney, also referred to as Trial Court Law Clerk, serves the Judges of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court. This professional role involves extensive legal research and writing, including the preparation of legal memoranda, draft opinions, and draft orders. The position covers a wide range of circuit and county court matters, such as criminal issues, post-conviction motions, appeals from county court (both civil and criminal), and various civil and family law issues. The work is conducted under the general supervision of the Supervising Senior Staff Attorney and Judges, with progress reviewed as necessary and upon completion.

Job Responsibilities

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, perform legal research, make recommendations, and submit proposed orders.
- Draft proposed jury instructions and advise on sentencing options upon request.
- Monitor death penalty proceedings, conduct legal research, make recommendations, and submit proposed orders.
- Conduct research on current laws and advise judges on various legal issues.

2. Assist Civil Division Judges
- Review and monitor petitions seeking extraordinary remedies, conduct legal research, make recommendations, draft memoranda of law, and submit proposed orders.
- Review miscellaneous pre-trial or post-trial civil motions, perform legal research, make recommendations, draft memoranda of law, and submit proposed orders.
- Conduct research on current laws 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, 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 recommendations, and submit proposed opinions to the Appellate Banc.

4. Other Duties as Assigned

Education and Experience Information

- Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
- Proficiency in computerized legal research, including Westlaw and/or Lexis-Nexis.
- Work experience demonstrating an orientation towards public service.
- Ability to work occasionally outside normal business hours based on operational necessity.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Membership in good standing with the Florida Bar is required. If not already a member, membership is required within one year of hire.

Competencies

Knowledge of:
- Legal principles, statutory and case law, court rules, and procedures.
- Legal publications and the **Members Only**.
- Westlaw and/or Lexis, Microsoft Outlook, and Word.

Skills:
- Manual and computerized legal research.
- Legal writing, proofreading, and thorough editing.

Ability to:
- Reason logically and analytically without biased interpretations of the law.
- Grasp complex legal issues and analyze complicated factual details.
- Work under pressure, multitask, and meet established timelines and goals.
- Perform exacting work and be attentive to issues in matters before the court.
- Comprehend reading material and communicate ideas effectively orally and in writing.
- Exercise discretion, confidentiality, impartiality, and honesty in handling matters before the court.
- Act professionally and respectfully at all times.
- Work effectively with others and independently.
- Maintain organization and prioritize workload.
- Accept direction, instruction, and constructive criticism positively.
- Set aside any bias or prejudice to ensure neutrality and impartiality in work content and tone.
- Operate a computer efficiently and utilize various software programs and databases.
- Type 45 correct words per minute.
- Provide effective, accurate, professional, and prompt customer service.
- Maintain consistent and regular attendance.
- Travel within the circuit for coverage.
- Work standard hours of 8:30 . to 5:00 ., with occasional work outside normal business hours, including weekends or holidays based on operational necessity.

Special Comments

Staff Attorneys (Trial Court Law Clerks) are considered employees of the Administrative Office of the Courts of the entire 20th Judicial Circuit, not of a specific county. They may be required to travel to other counties within the circuit as determined by the supervisor and operational necessity. Reassignment to another county within the circuit may also occur based on these factors.

Benefits

The Administrative Offices of the Courts, 20th Judicial Circuit, values its employees and offers a comprehensive benefits package. This package is designed to ensure the health and financial security of employees and their families while serving the community.

Additional Information

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Candidates requiring reasonable accommodation as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center in advance to allow sufficient time for accommodation provision.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace, and all employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act.