GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 9TH CIRCUIT- SENIOR ATTORNEY - 21012896

State of Florida•Kissimmee, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization. With more than 10,000 staff and volunteers, which includes more than 180 attorneys, its primary focus is the powerful and effective representation of Florida’s abused, neglected, and abandoned children. Most of these children are abruptly removed from their homes, and sadly, many end up in foster care. The Office’s mission is to provide the most vulnerable children in Florida with an adult from their community who will be a consistent, positive presence in the child's life as part of a multi-disciplinary team that always includes an attorney, child welfare professional and hopefully a community volunteer if one is available, providing the highest quality community advocacy and independent legal representation to protect each child's legal interests. A critical function is to provide dependency judges with thorough and accurate information regarding the children under the court’s jurisdiction. The Office’s core values strongly reinforce and enhance its mission. Those values are: Commitment to Children, Communication Built on Trust, Collective Empowerment, Collaboration, Courtesy.

Requirements

Possession of legal skills and knowledge sufficient to represent the children assigned to the Guardian ad Litem Office in legal proceedings as evidenced by admission to The Florida Bar.
Extensive knowledge of juvenile law and guardian ad litem legal representation for children.
Ability to advocate effectively in court on behalf of the child.
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.
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 law.
Candidates may be considered pending admission if granted by the Executive Director or their designee.

Nice To Haves

Trial experience strongly preferred.
An exception for the required experience may be granted by the Executive Director or their designee.

Responsibilities

Function as the attorney in a three-member multi-disciplinary guardian ad litem team or as an attorney guardian ad litem, representing each child with a focus on timely achievement of permanency and normalcy for the child.
Review case files to identify legal issues.
Conduct an independent investigation of the facts of the case.
Research and develop legal strategies for the cases.
File pleadings and motions.
Attend court proceedings including, but not limited to, hearings, depositions, and mediations.
Meet with Guardian ad Litem staff, witnesses, collateral contacts pertinent to the case, and the children represented by the Office.
Represent, advocate, and negotiate for the assigned children inside and outside the courtroom.
Assist other Guardian ad Litem Attorneys in developing and implementing case strategies.
Perform other duties assigned by management.

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