Trial Court Staff Attorney

Job Description

This professional position is responsible for conducting legal research and completing

assignments related to the composition of legally sufficient documents i.e. court orders,

memorandums of law, etc., at the trial court level. Work involves considerable legal

interpretation and analysis of case specific legal issues in the area(s) of criminal, civil, family,

juvenile, probate, appellate and / or administrative law. Contacts are established primarily with

trial court judges and personnel. Work is performed under the general supervision of any and all

assigned judges as well as the General Counsel; and progress is reviewed as required and

applicable.

Examples of Work Performed :

• Draft orders, review briefs, and research substantive and procedural issues;
• Conduct legislative research and track legislation applicable to the court;
• Conduct research on case flow management and caseload distribution studies;
• Perform research related to specific questions of law at the direction of any and all
• judges who preside over this position’s assigned court divisions;
• Perform administrative duties as required and applicable;
• Assist on court related committees;
• Perform all other related duties as required and applicable.

Education and Training Guidelines

Graduation from an accredited law school.

Membership in the Florida Bar is preferred; however, applicants who have passed all

parts of the Florida Bar exam but are awaiting admission to the Florida Bar will be

considered.

Salary will be 10% below minimum if not passed Florida Bar.

Competencies

Knowledge of the organization and function of the court system; knowledge of legal principles,

statutes, case law, court rules and procedures; proficiency in Microsoft 365 and other various

applications.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing with clarity, diplomacy, purpose
• and attention to detail;
• Display exemplary listening and comprehension skills;
• Reason logically and analytically;
• Interact courteously and professionally with emotionally upset and / or demanding individuals;
• Take direction and follow instructions implicitly;
• Correctly prioritize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Compute simple statistics and mathematics such as percentages;
• Grasp, comprehend, and analyze complex legal issues and complicated factual details;
• Apply careful attention and precision to legal issues related to matters brought before
• the court that require judicial response or action;
• Have exceptional reading and legal interpretation skills;
• Digest and communicate ideas and concepts orally and in writing;
• When applicable, exercise discretion, confidentiality, impartiality, and transparency in
• handling matters before the court;
• Work effectively with others as well as work independently, without close supervision;
• Produce and prepare own work product for dissemination to the assigned judge for
• review, execution and distribution to all applicable parties;
• Possess exemplary and comprehensive legal research skills;
• Comprehensive knowledge of legal publications and case law search engines such as

Westlaw, as well as the ability to use them efficiently, including computer assisted

research via on-line services.

Lift heavy packages up to 50 lbs. to a height of three (3) to four (4) feet for the purpose of

moving, transporting and / or delivering them to their required location as required.

Special Comments

Primary location is Polk County Courthouse.

Opened Until Filled; applications will be accepted until position is filled.

The Florida State Courts System offers a comprehensive selection of State of Florida employee benefits : membership in the Florida Retirement System, optional enrollment in a subsidized Health insurance plan, optional enrollment in Life, Dental, and Disability insurance plans, and paid term life insurance.