GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 6TH CIRCUIT- SENIOR ATTORNEY- 21013576

State of Florida•CLEARWATER, FL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned, and neglected children under the jurisdiction of Florida’s dependency courts. Attorneys are assigned to represent children as part of a multidisciplinary team and provide dependency judges with thorough and accurate information about the children they serve. The Senior Attorney represents assigned children, focusing on timely achievement of permanency and normalcy. The role involves working with people in stressful situations and exercising discretion when handling confidential and sensitive matters before the court. The attorney reviews case files, investigates facts, identifies legal issues, researches and develops legal strategies, files pleadings and motions, and attends court proceedings, including hearings, depositions, and mediations. The attorney meets with Guardian ad Litem staff, witnesses, other relevant contacts, and the children represented, and represents, advocates, and negotiates for children in and out of court. Other duties may be assigned by management. Work is performed under the supervision of the Managing Attorney or their 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. This is a half-time position of 20 hours per week. A flexible remote work schedule may be available 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 knowledge and skills 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 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 preferred.

Responsibilities

Represent assigned children in dependency matters as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Advocate for timely achievement of permanency and normalcy for each child.
Review case files and identify legal issues.
Conduct independent investigations of case facts.
Research cases and develop legal strategies.
File pleadings and motions.
Attend court proceedings, including hearings, depositions, and mediations.
Meet with Guardian ad Litem staff, witnesses, relevant collateral contacts, and represented children.
Represent, advocate, and negotiate for assigned children inside and outside the courtroom.
Handle confidential and sensitive issues before the court with discretion.
Perform other duties assigned by management.

Benefits

Florida Retirement System pension or investment plan, with a required 3% employee contribution.
Paid state holidays and one paid personal holiday.
Paid sick leave and annual leave.
State-provided life insurance, pro-rated for the position; employees may purchase additional coverage.
Health insurance options are available to salaried half-time employees; employee rates are higher than full-time rates.
Optional supplemental insurance, including dental, vision, and disability coverage.
Agency-paid Florida Bar annual dues, contingent upon agency approval.
Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
Introductory training in guardianship practice, dependency law, and practice fundamentals.
Ongoing live in-person training and webinars that fulfill CLE requirements, plus annual advanced litigation skills training.
Online training academy with introductory and advanced courses.
Access to the Lexis Nexis legal research search engine.
Florida residents do not pay state income tax.