Assistant State Attorney – Post-Conviction Unit

Worrell; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit seeks a seasoned Post-Conviction Attorney to handle high‑volume post‑conviction reviews in Orange and Osceola Counties. You will draft responses, conduct hearings, and lead research to support motions.

Required are a JD, Florida Bar in good standing, and at least five years in criminal litigation with first- and second-chair trial experience. This is a demanding, fast-paced role in a public‑service environment.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Member in good standing with the Florida Bar.
• Minimum of 5 years of criminal litigation experience, including significant trial experience.
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
• Experience with high-volume case environments.

Responsibilities

• Responds to defendants’ post-conviction motions involving claims such as ineffective assistance of counsel, illegal sentences, newly discovered evidence, involuntary pleas, and requests for post-conviction DNA testing.
• Drafts detailed written responses to post-conviction motions, ensuring accurate legal analysis and compliance with statutory and case law requirements.
• Conducts evidentiary hearings on post-conviction claims, including examining State witnesses, cross‑examining defense witnesses, and presenting oral argument.
• Performs extensive legal research to evaluate the merits of post-conviction issues and support written and oral advocacy.
• Reviews, reads, and analyzes trial transcripts, court records, and related documents to assess post-conviction claims and prepare comprehensive responses.
• Collaborates with attorneys, court personnel, and other legal professionals to manage post-conviction caseloads and ensure timely resolution of matters.
• Must be able to work under pressure, and in high stress and/or high anxiety causing situations, both in and outside the courtroom.
• Attend all court hearings.

Skills

Florida Bar in good standing

Criminal litigation experience

First- & second-chair trial experience

Legal research

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (accredited law school)

Tools

Electronic case management systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Legal research tools

Job description

Assistant State Attorney – Post-Conviction Unit

The State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida seeks to promote public safety by using data-driven methods to hold offenders accountable, provide restorative justice for victims, and redirect children and people in need of services, in an effort to build stronger, safer communities. We aim to achieve the highest standards of ethics and competence in order to promote a fair and equitable legal system.

We are seeking candidates who will be responsible for the prosecution of all crimes committed in Orange and Osceola Counties. These candidates should act with integrity and balanced judgment to increase public safety, be available to assist community efforts addressing problems that lead to, or result from, criminal activity and should act not merely as a case-processor but also a problem-solver, responsible for considering broad goals of the criminal legal system.

Position:

Assistant State Attorney – Post-Conviction Unit

Location:

Openings available in both Orange and Osceola Counties

Osceola County State Attorney’s Office
2 Courthouse Square, Suite 3500
Kissimmee, FL 34741

Overview:

The Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is seeking a highly experienced Post-Conviction Attorney with a minimum of 5 years of practice, including extensive trial experience in criminal law. This position is ideal for a motivated legal professional interested in joining a fast-paced team responsible for reviewing a high volume of cases for potential filing in both County and Circuit Court.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal but are not limited to this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Responds to defendants’ post-conviction motions involving claims such as ineffective assistance of counsel, illegal sentences, newly discovered evidence, involuntary pleas, and requests for post-conviction DNA testing.
• Drafts detailed written responses to post-conviction motions, ensuring accurate legal analysis and compliance with statutory and case law requirements.
• Conducts evidentiary hearings on post-conviction claims, including examining State witnesses, cross‑examining defense witnesses, and presenting oral argument.
• Performs extensive legal research to evaluate the merits of post-conviction issues and support written and oral advocacy.
• Reviews, reads, and analyzes trial transcripts, court records, and related documents to assess post-conviction claims and prepare comprehensive responses.
• Collaborates with attorneys, court personnel, and other legal professionals to manage post-conviction caseloads and ensure timely resolution of matters.
• Must be able to work under pressure, and in high stress and/or high anxiety causing situations, both in and outside the courtroom.
• Attend all court hearings.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Member in good standing with the Florida Bar.
• Minimum of 5 years of criminal litigation experience, including significant first- and second-chair trial experience.
• Exceptional legal research and analytical skills.
• Excellent computer skills and digital literacy, including comfort with electronic case management systems, legal research tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
• Flexible, fast learner with a commitment to public service and legal excellence.
• Experience with high-volume case environments.

If you are a Florida Retirement System (FRS) retiree, please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible, depending upon your retirement date.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). The hiring authority must be notified in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.