Senior Attorney

Title: GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 12TH CIRCUIT- SENIOR ATTORNEY- 21016021

Location: SARASOTA, FL, US, 34237

Requisition No: 877672 

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 12TH CIRCUIT- SENIOR ATTORNEY- 21016021

 Pay Plan: Justice Admin Comm.

Position Number: 21016021 

Salary:  $66,979.84 

Workplace: Full Time

Department: Legal

Job Description:

Hybrid, Senior Attorney

STATEWIDE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE

(This position has the ability to be flexible for a remote work schedule after successful onboarding.)

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization that provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned and neglected children in Florida’s dependency court proceedings.  The Office upholds the highest standards of integrity, excellence and child-centered representation. Guardian ad Litem Attorneys are assigned by the Office to represent children as part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes a child welfare professional and hopefully a community volunteer or pro bono attorney.  In addition, dependency judges rely on the Guardian ad Litem to provide them with thorough and accurate information regarding the children under the court’s jurisdiction.

BENEFITS PACKAGE

As an employee with the State of Florida, your benefits are a significant part of your compensation with 19 percent of your total compensation coming from the benefits that the State offers. Total compensation inclusive of the benefits listed below is valued at a minimum of $93,137.24.  Actual total compensation will vary based on insurance and retirement elections.  

As a full-time employee, your insurance rate will be significantly low due to the contribution of the State of Florida. In fact, single coverage is as low as $8.34 per month with family coverage costing only $30 per month. While the rates are higher for half-time employees, health insurance options are still available to you as long as you are in a salaried position.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:  

• State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or investment plan (3% employee contribution required)
• (9) Paid state holidays
• (1) Paid personal holiday
• (13) Paid sick leave days
• (176) Annual leave hours
• Life insurance $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions.  Employee may purchase additional coverage
• Additional supplemental insurances are available such as dental, vision, disability, etc. 
• Florida Bar annual dues are paid for by the Agency, contingent upon agency approval
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• No State of Florida income tax for residents of Florida
• No mandatory night/weekend/holiday scheduled shifts
• State Tuition Waiver Program
• Introductory training on guardianship practice, dependency law and practice fundamentals as well as best practice guidance for attorneys communicating with and representing children.
• Ongoing live in-person trainings and webinars on case law, evidence, legal writing, trial skills, and ethics which fulfills CLE requirements.  Annual advanced litigation skills training. 
• Online training academy with a catalog of introductory and advanced courses on topics to include dependency law, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, psychotropic medications, independent living, developmental disabilities, trauma, human trafficking, educational advocacy, and more.
• Lexis Nexis legal research search engine access.

ABOUT THE WORK

• This position has the ability to be flexible for a remote work schedule after successful onboarding.
• Work is performed under the supervision of the Managing Attorney or his or her designee.
• Guardian ad Litem Attorneys are assigned by the Office to represent children and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, representing each child with a focus on timely achievement of permanency and normalcy for the child.
• The work involves contact with people in stressful situations, and the incumbent must exercise discretion in dealing with confidential and extremely sensitive issues before the court. 
• The incumbent reviews case files to identify legal issues, conducts an independent investigation of the facts of the case, researches and develops legal strategies for the cases, files pleadings, and motions, and attends court proceedings including, but not limited to, hearings, depositions, and mediations, and meets with Guardian ad Litem staff, witnesses, collateral contacts pertinent to the case, and the children represented by the Office.
• The Senior Attorney represents, advocates, and negotiates for the assigned children inside and outside the courtroom. Senior Attorneys assist other Guardian ad Litem Attorneys in developing and implementing case strategies. The incumbent also performs other duties assigned by management.
• Incumbents in this class report directly to the Managing Attorney of their assigned Circuit for all activities related to the practice of law; and also works under the operational and administrative supervision of the Circuit Director.

ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Possession of legal skills and knowledge sufficient to represent the children appointed to the Office as evidenced by admission to The Florida Bar. Ability to advocate effectively in court on behalf of the child.
• Knowledge of juvenile law, including relevant rules of procedure and evidence, and guardian ad litem legal representation for children.
• Ability to communicate effectively and deal tactfully with individuals involved in litigation and stressful situations. Ability to work with individuals from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer, including software programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• A valid Florida Driver’s License is required.
• Graduation from an accredited law school, membership in the Florida Bar and two years of experience in the practice of dependency or related law.  Candidates may be considered pending admission to The Florida Bar if granted by the Executive Director or his designee.  Strong trial skills preferred.
• An exception for the required experience may be granted by the Executive Director or their designee.

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.

Location:  

SARASOTA, FL, US, 34237
Nearest Major Market: Sarasota
Nearest Secondary Market: Tampa