GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 1ST CIRCUIT- SENIOR ATTORNEY- 21012700

State of Florida•Pensacola, FL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization that provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned and neglected children under the jurisdiction of Florida’s dependency courts. The Office upholds the highest standards of integrity, excellence and zealous advocacy for the children it represents. Attorneys are assigned by the Office as Guardian ad Litem to represent children as part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes a child welfare professional and hopefully a community volunteer or pro bono attorney. In addition, dependency judges rely on the Guardian ad Litem to provide them with thorough and accurate information regarding the children under the court’s jurisdiction. This position has the ability to be flexible for a remote work schedule after successful onboarding. Work is performed under the supervision of the Managing Attorney or his or her designee. Guardian ad Litem Attorneys are assigned by the Office to represent children and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, representing each child with a focus on timely achievement of permanency and normalcy for the child. The work involves contact with people in stressful situations, and the incumbent must exercise discretion in dealing with confidential and extremely sensitive issues before the court. The incumbent reviews case files to identify legal issues, conducts an independent investigation of the facts of the case, researches and develops legal strategies for the cases, files pleadings, and motions, and attends court proceedings including, but not limited to, hearings, depositions, and mediations, and meets with Guardian ad Litem staff, witnesses, collateral contacts pertinent to the case, and the children represented by the Office. The Attorney represents, advocates, and negotiates for the assigned children inside and outside the courtroom. The incumbent also performs other duties assigned by management. Incumbents in this class report directly to the Managing Attorney of their assigned Circuit for all activities related to the practice of law; and also works under the operational and administrative supervision of the Circuit Director.

Requirements

Admission to The Florida Bar.
Ability to advocate effectively in court on behalf of the child.
Knowledge of juvenile law, including relevant rules of procedure and evidence, and guardian ad litem legal representation for children.
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.
Graduation from an accredited law school.
Two years of experience in the practice of dependency or related law.
Membership in the Florida Bar.

Nice To Haves

Strong trial skills preferred.
Candidates may be considered pending admission to The Florida Bar if granted by the Executive Director or his designee.
An exception for the required experience may be granted by the Executive Director or their designee.

Responsibilities

Represent children appointed to the Office as Guardian ad Litem.
Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Achieve timely permanency and normalcy for the child.
Review case files to identify legal issues.
Conduct independent investigations of case facts.
Research and develop legal strategies.
File pleadings and motions.
Attend court proceedings (hearings, depositions, mediations).
Meet with Guardian ad Litem staff, witnesses, collateral contacts, and children.
Represent, advocate, and negotiate for assigned children.
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
(88) Annual leave hours
Life insurance $25,000 is provided by the state at a pro-rated cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees 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
Introductory training on guardianship practice, dependency law and practice fundamentals as well as best practice guidance for attorneys communicating with and representing children.
Ongoing live in-person trainings and webinars on case law, evidence, legal writing, trial skills, and ethics which fulfills CLE requirements. Annual advanced litigation skills training.
Online training academy with a catalog of introductory and advanced courses on topics to include dependency law, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, psychotropic medications, independent living, developmental disabilities, trauma, human trafficking, educational advocacy, and more.
Lexis Nexis legal research search engine access.