Associate Counsel - Legal Services

Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off and 17 paidholi

Superior health care plans

Florida Retirement System & deferred"}

Wellness Program with incentives

Tuition Reimbursement

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County, seeks an Associate Counsel for the Legal Services Department. The role focuses on researching, analyzing, and drafting on a broad range of legal issues and appears in state and federal court as directed. The position supports a high-volume, confidential workload.

Hybrid remote work eligible; compensation commensurate with experience. This role offers a path to broaden litigation, administrative, and public records expertise within a

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited university and membership in the Florida Bar in good standing, with two years of recent and relevant legal experience.
• Demonstrated exceptional verbal and written communication skills and high attention to detail.
• Experience in researching, analyzing, and synthesizing local, state, and federal authority; drafting memoranda and motions.

Responsibilities

• Conducts in-depth legal research and drafts high-quality memorandum, motions, proposed orders, etc. on various areas of law (administrative, bond, criminal, employment, foreclosure, public records, tax deed).
• Attends and represents the Clerk’s Office at hearings in state and federal court (criminal bond forfeitures, foreclosures, quiet title, bankruptcy, public records issues, tax deed cases, garnishments).
• Oversees public records requests and subpoenas with cross-department coordination and confidentiality considerations.
• Provides legal guidance to departments on diverse matters; supports related administrative functions of the Legal Services Department.
• Organizes high workload while maintaining professionalism and awareness of local, state, and federal issues affecting the Clerk’s Office.
• Acts as backup in absence of Legal Counsel and drafts responses to general correspondence.
• Exercises confidentiality and discretion in processing confidential matters.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting memoranda

Oral and written communication

Education

Juris Doctorate

Florida Bar Association member 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 Click Here

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

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.

Participates in administrative functions required by the Legal Services Department.

Organizes high workload appropriately while maintaining professionalism.

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.

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 experiencerequired; 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

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 & Comptroller’s Office is 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 andshall apply only to a veteran's first promotion after reinstatement or reemployment, without exception. The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Office values 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.