Associate Counsel - Legal Services

Florida Bar Foundation the; West Palm Beach (FL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off and holidays

Health care plans

Retirement options (Florida Retirement

Deferred compensation

Wellness program

Tuition Reimbursement

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Office seeks an Associate Counsel in its Legal Services Department. The role involves researching, analyzing, and drafting on local, state, and federal authority, and litigating in state and federal court as directed.

This position offers remote work eligibility on a Hybrid basis with a robust Remote Work Program. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

• Conducts in-depth legal research and drafts high-quality memoranda, motions, proposed orders, etc.
• Represents Clerk’s Office at hearings in state and federal court.
• Oversees public records requests and subpoenas with confidential information.
• Provides legal guidance to departments as needed.
• Maintains awareness of local, state, and federal issues affecting the Clerk’s Office.
• Acts as backup in absence of Legal Counsel.
• Drafts responses on general correspondence.
• Exhibits confidentiality and discretion in sensitive matters.
• Participates in administrative functions of the Legal Services Department.
• Organizes high workload efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Conducts in-depth legal research and drafts high-quality memorandum, motions, proposed orders, etc. on various areas of law, including but not limited to administrative, bond, criminal, employment, foreclosure, public records, and tax deed law.
• Attends and represents the Clerk’s Office at hearings in state and federal court, including criminal bond forfeitures, foreclosures, quiet title actions, bankruptcy, public records issues, tax deed cases, garnishments, and general civil matters.
• Oversees public records requests and subpoenas, including coordinating with departments, reviewing documents for confidential or exempt information under Florida law, reviewing cost estimates, and supporting related requests from departments.
• Provides legal guidance to departments on a variety of matters as needed.
• Maintains an understanding and awareness of local, state, and federal issues affecting the Clerk’s Office.
• Acts as backup in absence of Legal Counsel.
• Drafts responses on general correspondence.
• Exercises confidentiality and discretion in processing matters of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Participates in administrative functions required by the Legal Services Department.
• Organizes high workload appropriately while maintaining professional.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Litigation

Legal analysis

Policy interpretation

Education

J.D. (Juris Doctor) with Florida Bar in good standing

Job description

Are you an ambitious attorney interested in growing your career with an organization recognized for a strong commitment to transparency, accountability and public service?
The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office is seeking a distinguished professional to serve as an Associate Counsel in our Legal Services Department. The Associate Counsel is responsible for researching, analyzing, and synthesizing local, state, and federal authority, as well as litigating in state and federal court as directed on matters that relate to the Clerk’s Office. The Associate Counsel is also responsible for a high volume of confidential and sensitive issues requiring a high degree of discretion and diplomacy.

This exciting opportunity is also remote work eligible on a Hybrid basis! to learn more about our robust Remote Work Program.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications

Why join our Clerk family? Because our Clerk family is our top priority! Total Compensation packages include:

• Generous paid time off and 17 paid holidays – yes you read that right!
• Superior health care plans with lower costs to you
• Retirement choices through the Florida Retirement System and deferred compensation plan
• Award-Winning Wellness Program that gives employees incentives, tools, social support, and strategies to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

At the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Office you can:

• Work with a purpose
• Give back to the community
• Be part of a family
• Build your skills
• Pursue career advancement opportunities
• Reach your professional and personal goals

Examples of Essential Functions

• Conducts in-depth legal research and drafts high-quality memorandum, motions, proposed orders, etc. on various areas of law, including but not limited to administrative, bond, criminal, employment, foreclosure, public records, and tax deed law.
• Attends and represents the Clerk’s Office at hearings in state and federal court, including criminal bond forfeitures, foreclosures, quiet title actions, bankruptcy, public records issues, tax deed cases, garnishments, and general civil matters.
• Oversees public records requests and subpoenas, including coordinating with departments, reviewing documents for confidential or exempt information under Florida law, reviewing cost estimates, and supporting related requests from departments.
• Provides legal guidance to departments on a variety of matters as needed.
• Maintains an understanding and awareness of local, state, and federal issues affecting the Clerk’s Office.
• Acts as backup in absence of Legal Counsel.
• Drafts responses on general correspondence.
• Exercises confidentiality and discretion in processing matters of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Participates in administrative functions required by the Legal Services Department.
• Organizes high workload appropriately while maintaining professional

Note: Vacancy postings may be cancelled at any time based on business needs. Applicants who have applied will be notified of cancellations. Applicants with a disability who require accommodation within the application/interview process should direct a request in advance to human resources at [e-mail] or 561 355 4172.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptrolleris an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. Depending on the position, candidates are subject to drug screening, a physical and a background check as a condition of employment. Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority, and that certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements, in employment by the state and its political subdivisions and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled. Pursuant to Florida Statute 295, Section 09 (b) and (c), Veterans’ Preference promotion preference shall apply to a person who was a veteran when employed by the state or its political subdivision and who was recalled to extended active duty and shall apply only to a veteran's first promotion after reinstatement or reemployment, without exception. The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Officevalues the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and that the Clerk’s office supports the hiring of returning service members and military spouses. To claim preference, an applicant must complete and upload both the Veterans’ Preference Claim Form and required documentation prior to the position’s posted closing date. Hiring decisions are based on qualified candidates’ non-numerical assessments and numerical assessments, which include interviews. If an applicant claiming veterans’ preference for a vacant position is not selected, they may file a complaint with the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), 11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311, Largo, FL 33708. If an applicant seeking veterans’ preference in employment in the state of Florida is not selected for the position and is so notified, they must file their complaint with the DVA within 60 calendar days from the date the applicant is notified.

Juris Doctorate from an accredited university with membership in the Florida Bar Association in good standing, supplemented by two (2) years of recent and relevant legal experience required; demonstrated and exceptional verbal and written communication skills, as well as high attention to detail are required.

Demonstrated and exceptional verbal and written communication skills, as well as high attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in litigation, criminal, and/or foreclosure law