Assistant General Counsel II or Senior Assistant General Counsel

St. John's River Water Management District-SA•Palatka, FL

50d•$88,462 - $123,032

About The Position

This is advanced, complex, independent professional legal work preparing cases, briefs, and arguments in complex litigation involving the District before Florida administrative tribunals and state and federal courts.

Requirements

Conduct complex legal analysis and develop strategy.
Represent the District in state court, federal court, and administrative litigation.
Write polished legal documents, including final orders, appellate briefs, and all litigation related documents.
Conduct rule workshops and hearings.
If filled as a Senior Assistant General Counsel, edit drafts of legal documents prepared by others, and mentor and train attorneys and paralegals.
Assistant General Counsel II: Admission to the Florida Bar and two years of experience as a licensed attorney in civil litigation, administrative, environmental, governmental, real property or contract law. A Master of Laws (LL.M.) from an accredited law school may substitute for one year of the required experience.
Senior Assistant General Counsel: Admission to the Florida Bar and five years of legal experience as a licensed attorney in civil litigation, administrative, environmental, governmental, real property or contract law.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, and associated rules, experience in Florida environmental litigation, and/or experience representing clients before the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings.

Responsibilities

Legal Counseling: Provides legal advice to the District's staff and Governing Board, as requested, regarding the interpretation and application of relevant statutes and administrative rules in the District's permitting, water supply planning, and regulatory enforcement programs. Provides legal advice to the Regulatory Services Division on implementation of new rules and policies. Provides legal advice and editorial assistance in reviewing technical staff reports regarding permit applications. Reviews conservation easements, deed restrictions, financial assurance and operation and maintenance documents, submitted by permit applicants. Reviews and/or drafts of consent agreements resolving violations of regulatory rules. Reviews/drafts other documents, as requested by the client or General Counsel.
Dispute Resolution and Litigation: Assists the District in resolving regulatory and other disputes by engaging in mediation or other settlement negotiations, representing the District in judicial or administrative proceedings, conducting discovery and motion practice, preparing witness testimony and exhibits, presenting and cross-examining testimony and exhibits at trial or formal adversarial hearing, and filing all appropriate post-trial (or hearing) proposed orders, motions, exceptions, notices, or other documents. When assigned in particular matters, such representation will also include preparing proposed final administrative orders and preparing briefs, motions, and exhibits and presenting oral argument in judicial or administrative appeals, as appropriate.
Rulemaking and Policy Support: Provides legal support in the client's development and review of rules, policies, and legislation primarily regarding the District's permitting, water supply planning, and minimum flows and levels programs. Drafts rule provisions and conduct or assists in the conduct of rule workshops and final rule adoption hearings.
(Senior Assistant General Counsel) Mentoring: Provides mentoring and helps develop substantive expertise among less experienced attorneys and paralegals within the Office of General Counsel.