Attorney – Criminal Justice Subcommittee

Florida Legislature•Tallahassee, FL

About The Position

This position primarily focuses on criminal legal issues. The attorney conducts legal research; analyzes legislation; drafts bills, amendments, staff analyses, legal memoranda, and other documents; and provides counsel and advice to legislators and legislative committees.

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 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 deal tactfully and courteously with the public, members and lobbyists.
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

Drafts legislative bills and amendments in technically complete language.
Drafts staff analyses of filed legislation.
Briefs legislators personally or in writing on issues to be discussed in committee, on the floor, or with constituents.
Monitors and coordinates the progress of committee legislation through committees of reference and on the floor.
Provides legal counsel and advice to Legislators and legislative committees 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.
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.
Maintains communications with agency heads, or their assigned deputies, assistants, and agency general counsels.
Performs other related duties as required.