Associate Attorney

AppleOne Employment Services; Clearwater (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Commuting budget

Bar dues & CLE

Team culture

Direct client contact

Hearing experience

Career growth

Job summary

AppleOne Employment Services is seeking an Associate Attorney in Clearwater, FL for its growing local government civil litigation practice. This direct hire role targets a motivated attorney with 3–5 years of civil litigation experience seeking meaningful courtroom exposure and direct client interaction for long-term career growth.

The attorney will represent municipalities and local government entities statewide, handling matters from intake through trial and appeal, with strong mentorship and

Qualifications

• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery, and other litigation documents.
• Manage civil litigation matters with clients and supervising attorneys.
• Prepare for depositions, hearings, mediations, and trials.
• Support litigation strategy and client communication across a diverse caseload.
• Active member in good standing with The Florida Bar and J.D. degree required.

Responsibilities

• Manage civil litigation matters from intake to settlement, trial, or appeal.
• Develop litigation strategies for local government defense and related claims.
• Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, motions, memoranda, briefs, and discovery requests.
• Prepare for and defend depositions, hearings, mediations, and trials.
• Collaborate with clients, partners, associates, and staff with responsibility for a diverse caseload.

Skills

Legal research

Writing

Oral advocacy

Client communication

Multitasking

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Job Summary

A respected legal services firm in Clearwater, FL is seeking an Associate Attorney to join its growing local government civil litigation practice. This direct hire opportunity is ideal for a motivated attorney with 3 to 5 years of civil litigation experience who wants meaningful courtroom exposure, direct client interaction, and long-term career development.

The firm represents municipalities, special districts, and other local government entities throughout Florida in matters involving police liability, premises liability, personal injury, civil rights, wrongful death, land use and zoning, public contracts, labor and employment, open government compliance, and general municipal advisory and defense work.

This Associate Attorney role offers a collaborative, team-oriented environment with supportive leadership, strong mentorship, and the opportunity to take on significant responsibility within a respected public sector practice. Attorneys in this group are known for practical judgment, diligent advocacy, and responsive service to clients that serve Florida communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage civil litigation matters with supervising attorneys from intake and evaluation through settlement, trial, or appeal as appropriate.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies for matters involving local government defense, civil rights, personal injury, premises liability, and related claims.
• Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, motions, memoranda, briefs, discovery requests, and other litigation documents.
• Prepare for and defend depositions of parties, witnesses, and experts.
• Prepare for and attend hearings, mediations, and trials.
• Collaborate with clients, partners, associates, and legal staff while assuming meaningful responsibility for a diverse litigation caseload.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $110,000 to $150,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
• Direct hire opportunity.
• Health insurance.
• 401(k).
• Commuting budget.
• Bar dues and CLE reimbursement.
• Collaborative, team-oriented firm culture.
• Direct client contact and hearing experience.
• Opportunities for professional growth within a respected local government practice.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Manage civil litigation matters involving local government entities and public sector defense.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery, legal memoranda, and other litigation documents.
• Prepare for depositions, hearings, mediations, trials, and appeals as appropriate.
• Support litigation strategy, client communication, and case evaluation across a diverse caseload.
• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing with The Florida Bar.
• 3 to 5 years of meaningful civil litigation experience preferred.
• Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.Ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines independently.
• Excellent judgment, professionalism, and client communication skills.
• Located in the Tampa Bay area, with ability to work in or near Clearwater, Florida.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience representing municipalities, special districts, public agencies, or other local government entities.
• Background in civil rights defense, police liability, premises liability, personal injury, wrongful death, or public sector litigation.
• Experience preparing for and attending hearings, mediations, depositions, and trials.
• Familiarity with Florida public records, open government compliance, public contracts, land use, zoning, or municipal advisory matters.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

The Know Your Rights poster is available here: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf

The pay transparency policy is available here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program. https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf

We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.