Attorney

State of Florida

About The Position

This is entry level legal work in the examination and preparation of legislation, legislative programs, legal instruments, opinions, briefs, or other documents; conducting research to assist a higher level attorney; and providing counsel and advice to legislative committees. Financial Disclosure: Pursuant to sections 112.3144 and 112.3145, F.S., 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 Florida laws and legal procedure.
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 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 use independent judgment when releasing information to the public.
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.
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.
Prepares and drafts routine contracts, agreements, and related legal documents for authorized parties.
Drafts legislative bills, resolutions, and amendments in technically complete language, under supervision.
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.
Assists in representing the Legislature in court and at legislative or administrative hearings under supervision of more experienced attorneys.
Handles administrative litigation on utility matters relating to water and wastewater, electric, and gas service; performs legal research and prepares legal opinions and drafts routine pleadings, briefs relating to utility issues; conducts discovery through depositions, interrogatories and requests for production of documents.
Reviews agency action pursuant to Chapter 120, the Administrative Procedures Act, to identify instances of the invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority; monitors Florida court cases and administrative decisions and advises agencies accordingly; prepares and presents proposed objections to full committee; reviews statutes passed each session and calls to the attention of the agencies all those which may require administrative rule promulgation, repeal or amendment.
Drafts binding, judicially reviewable opinions interpreting the ethics laws for consideration and adoption by the Commission on Ethics; prepares written orders analyzing the legal sufficiency of complaints received by the Commission; assists Commission members who serve as hearing officers at public hearings in making legal rulings and by preparing recommended orders.
Drafts Reviser’s Bills; edits and revises the text of the Florida Statutes manuscript; indexes new legislation for the Florida Statutes, the Digest of General Laws, and the Laws of Florida.
Maintains communications with agency heads, or their assigned deputies, assistants, and agency general counsels.
Performs other related duties as required.