GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 2ND CIRCUIT- SENIOR ATTORNEY - 21020016

State of Florida•Tallahassee, FL

26d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s state-funded child advocacy organization, providing independent legal representation to abused, abandoned, and neglected children in dependency court proceedings. Guardian ad Litem Attorneys represent children as part of a multidisciplinary team and provide courts with thorough and accurate information about children under their jurisdiction. The Senior Attorney represents, advocates, and negotiates for assigned children inside and outside the courtroom, with a focus on timely permanency and normalcy. The role includes reviewing case files, independently investigating facts, identifying legal issues, researching and developing case strategies, filing pleadings and motions, and attending court proceedings such as hearings, depositions, and mediations. The attorney meets with children, witnesses, Guardian ad Litem staff, and other relevant contacts, and assists other Guardian ad Litem Attorneys with case strategies. Work involves sensitive and confidential matters and contact with people in stressful situations. The position works under the supervision of the Managing Attorney or designee. For legal practice, the Senior Attorney reports directly to the Managing Attorney of the assigned Circuit; operationally and administratively, the position works under the Circuit Director. The schedule may be flexible for remote work after successful onboarding.

Requirements

Admission to The Florida Bar; candidates may be considered pending admission if approved by the Executive Director or designee.
Graduation from an accredited law school.
Two years of experience practicing dependency or related law; an exception may be granted by the Executive Director or designee.
Valid Florida Driver’s License.
Legal skills and knowledge sufficient to represent children appointed to the Office.
Ability to advocate effectively in court on behalf of a 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 use a personal computer and software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Nice To Haves

Strong trial skills.

Responsibilities

Represent, advocate, and negotiate for assigned children inside and outside the courtroom.
Work as part of a multidisciplinary team, focusing on timely achievement of permanency and normalcy for each child.
Review case files to identify legal issues and independently investigate case facts.
Research and develop legal strategies; file pleadings and motions.
Attend court proceedings, including hearings, depositions, and mediations.
Meet with children, Guardian ad Litem staff, witnesses, and other relevant collateral contacts.
Assist other Guardian ad Litem Attorneys in developing and implementing case strategies.
Exercise discretion when handling confidential and extremely sensitive issues before the court.
Perform other duties assigned by management.

Benefits

State of Florida retirement package with pension or investment plan; 3% employee contribution required.
Nine paid state holidays.
One paid personal holiday.
Thirteen paid sick leave days.
176 annual leave hours.
$25,000 life insurance provided at no cost for FTE positions; employees may purchase additional coverage.
Additional supplemental insurance options, including dental, vision, and disability coverage.
Agency-paid Florida Bar annual dues, contingent upon agency approval.
Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
State Tuition Waiver Program.
Introductory training in guardianship practice, dependency law, and practice fundamentals, including guidance on communicating with and representing children.
Ongoing in-person training and webinars on case law, evidence, legal writing, trial skills, and ethics that fulfill CLE requirements, including annual advanced litigation skills training.
Online training academy with introductory and advanced courses.
Access to the Lexis Nexis legal research search engine.
Health insurance options with state contributions; the posting lists single coverage as low as $8.34 per month and family coverage at $30 per month.