GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 18TH CIRCUIT- SENIOR ATTORNEY - 21012935

State of Florida•VIERA, FL

5d•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, accurate information about the children under their jurisdiction. The Senior Attorney represents, advocates, and negotiates for assigned children inside and outside the courtroom, focusing on timely permanency and normalcy. The role involves reviewing case files, independently investigating case facts, identifying legal issues, researching and developing legal strategies, filing pleadings and motions, and attending court proceedings such as 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 with case strategy and implementation. Other duties may be assigned by management. The position works under the supervision of the Managing Attorney or their designee. The attorney reports to the Managing Attorney of the assigned Circuit for legal practice matters and works under the operational and administrative supervision of the Circuit Director. The work includes contact with people in stressful situations and requires discretion when handling confidential and sensitive matters before the court. The position may offer a flexible remote work schedule after successful onboarding. The assigned location is Brevard County.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school.
Membership in the Florida Bar; candidates may be considered pending admission if approved by the Executive Director or designee.
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 and identify legal issues.
Conduct independent investigations of case facts.
Research and develop legal strategies for cases.
File pleadings and motions.
Attend court proceedings, including hearings, depositions, and mediations.
Meet with Guardian ad Litem staff, witnesses, relevant collateral contacts, and the children represented by the Office.
Assist other Guardian ad Litem Attorneys in developing and implementing case strategies.
Perform other duties assigned by management.

Benefits

State of Florida retirement package with a pension or investment plan; a 3% employee contribution is required.
Nine paid state holidays.
One paid personal holiday.
Thirteen paid sick leave days.
176 annual leave hours.
State-provided $25,000 life insurance at no cost for FTE positions, with the option to purchase additional coverage.
Supplemental insurance options, including dental, vision, and disability insurance.
Agency payment of annual Florida Bar dues, contingent upon agency approval.
Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
State Tuition Waiver Program.
Introductory training on guardianship practice, dependency law, practice fundamentals, and best practices for communicating with and representing children.
Ongoing live in-person trainings and webinars on case law, evidence, legal writing, trial skills, and ethics that fulfill CLE requirements, plus annual advanced litigation skills training.
Online training academy with introductory and advanced courses on dependency law, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, psychotropic medications, independent living, developmental disabilities, trauma, human trafficking, educational advocacy, and other topics.
Access to the Lexis Nexis legal research search engine.
State-subsidized health insurance; the posting states single coverage can cost as little as $8.34 per month and family coverage $30 per month.
No Florida state income tax for Florida residents.