GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 4TH CIRCUIT- SENIOR ATTORNEY- 21015557

State of Florida•Jacksonville, FL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Florida dependency court proceedings. Attorneys work as part of a multidisciplinary team, alongside child welfare professionals and, when available, community volunteers or pro bono attorneys. The Office also provides dependency judges with thorough and accurate information about children under the court’s 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 position involves contact with people in stressful situations and requires discretion when handling confidential and highly sensitive matters. The attorney reviews case files, investigates facts, identifies legal issues, researches and develops case strategies, files pleadings and motions, and attends court proceedings, including hearings, depositions, and mediations. The attorney meets with children, Guardian ad Litem staff, witnesses, and other relevant contacts, and assists other Guardian ad Litem Attorneys in developing and implementing case strategies. Other duties may be assigned by management. Work is supervised by the Managing Attorney or designee. The attorney reports to the Managing Attorney of the assigned circuit for legal-practice activities and works under the operational and administrative supervision of the Circuit Director. The position may offer a flexible remote work schedule 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, relevant rules of procedure and evidence, and guardian ad litem legal representation for children.
Ability to communicate effectively and deal tactfully with people involved in litigation and stressful situations.
Ability to work with people 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 children assigned to the Office in dependency proceedings, advocating and negotiating for them in and out of court.
Work as part of a multidisciplinary team, focusing on timely achievement of permanency and normalcy for each child.
Review case files, identify legal issues, independently investigate case facts, and research and develop legal strategies.
File pleadings and motions and attend court proceedings, including hearings, depositions, and mediations.
Meet with children, Guardian ad Litem staff, witnesses, and relevant collateral contacts.
Assist other Guardian ad Litem Attorneys in developing and implementing case strategies.
Exercise discretion in handling confidential and sensitive issues and interacting with people in stressful situations.
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 and one paid personal holiday.
Thirteen paid sick-leave days and 176 annual-leave hours.
State-provided $25,000 life insurance at no cost for FTE positions; additional coverage may be purchased.
Supplemental insurance options, including dental, vision, and disability coverage.
Agency-paid Florida Bar annual dues, contingent upon agency approval.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.
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 covering case law, evidence, legal writing, trial skills, and ethics, including annual advanced litigation-skills training.
Online training academy with introductory and advanced courses on dependency law and related topics.
Access to the Lexis Nexis legal research search engine.
State employee health insurance; the posting cites monthly rates as low as $8.34 for single coverage and $30 for family coverage.