Attorney (Justice, Finance & Taxation)

State of Florida

About The Position

This is entry level legal work as a technical subject matter expert in the office of the Minority Leader. The position involves preparation of legislation, legislative programs, opinions, briefs, or other documents; conducting research to assist a higher level attorney; and providing counsel and advice to legislators and staffers. Under close supervision of a staff director and the Minority Leader, the attorney applies expertise when researching and preparing proposed budgets, staff analyses, reports, substantive legislation, responding to inquiries, and developing correspondence. Financial Disclosure Pursuant to sections 112.3144 and 112.3145, Florida Statutes, this position is required to electronically file a Form 1 – Statement of Financial Interests with the Florida Commission on Ethics within 30 days of hire.

Requirements

Knowledge of legal terminology.
Knowledge of state budgeting processes and structure.
Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, research, and organization.
Ability to provide legal counsel.
Ability to interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules.
Ability to employ legal reasoning and to foresee possible legal problems.
Ability to communicate effectively and concisely verbally and in writing.
Ability to take action in situations which lack clear direction.
Ability to take initiative on independent research projects.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Ability to collect and analyze data.
Ability to conduct meetings and to make presentations.
Ability to perform legal writing and prepare various legal documents.
Ability to research legal documents and legal references.
Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the demands of members, their staff, the public, press, and lobbyists.
Ability to work cooperatively as a team member and to contribute to the efficient internal functioning of the staff.
Ability to conduct in-depth, carefully documented and credible analysis under minimal supervision within established deadlines.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to organize data into logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials.
Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality.
Attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar.

Responsibilities

Assists with legal research in evaluating state statutes and preparation of legal opinions on questions submitted by authorized persons.
Provides legal counsel and advice to Legislators and legislative committees on the less complex legal matters including the development of legislation and legislative programs, and interprets state and federal legislation related to programs of any governmental unit.
Recommends needed changes to legislation based upon trends in case law, agency comment or citizen request.
Performs legal research concerning the interpretation of Florida Statutes and on other matters in question for Legislators and staff, and answers telephone inquiries and composes routine responses to constituents.
Analyzes and objectively summarizes proposed legislation to determine its effectiveness and the impact of its passage on the state and other entities and individuals.
Researches and drafts legislation and amendments to legislation at the direction of the staff director or leadership team.
Assists in planning briefings to include agenda, speakers, presentations, and materials.
Monitors the implementation of legislation in the Executive and Judicial Branches to ascertain that legislative intent is met.
Briefs legislators verbally or in writing on issues to be discussed in committee, on the floor, or with constituents.
Conceives, plans, and conducts research projects.
Prepares oral and written reports on research and other work such as end of session reports, interim projects, and oversight reports which include recommendations for legislative action.
Provides information and problem-solving assistance to legislators, their constituents, and the public.
Prepares letters, summaries, talk-sheets or speeches, reports, and informational memoranda on issues at the request of the leadership team or staff director.
Keeps abreast of new and ongoing issues affecting assigned area of responsibility by collecting resource materials, attending workshops and conferences, reading industry publications, communicating with agency personnel, and the public.
Serves as liaison with state agencies.
Performs other related duties as required.