GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 17TH CIRCUIT- SENIOR ATTORNEY - 21016023

State of Florida•Fort Lauderdale, FL

27d•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 in and out of court, focusing on timely permanency and normalcy for each child. The role includes reviewing case files, conducting independent investigations, 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, 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. The work is performed under the supervision of the Managing Attorney or designee. The position reports directly to the Managing Attorney of the assigned Circuit for legal practice and also works under the operational and administrative supervision of the Circuit Director. The work involves contact with people in stressful situations and requires discretion when handling confidential and sensitive matters. 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 to this experience requirement 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.
Ability to exercise discretion when dealing with confidential and extremely sensitive issues before the court.

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 to represent children, with a focus on timely achievement of permanency and normalcy.
Review case files to 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, collateral contacts, and 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 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.
State-provided $25,000 life insurance at no cost for FTE positions, with the option to purchase additional coverage.
Additional supplemental insurance options, including dental, vision, and disability.
Agency-paid 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 in-person trainings and webinars on legal topics 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.
State employee health insurance, with the posting noting low employee rates for single and family coverage.