Government Law & Policy Associate

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; Dade City, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP in Florida is seeking a junior to mid-level attorney with a focus on municipal law and public policy. The role involves advising on public meetings, drafting contracts and ordinances, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal rules.

You’ll develop strategies to mitigate legal exposure for municipalities and school boards and represent clients in land use, procurement disputes, and hearings, requiring strong research, writing, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of legal experience in litigation, municipal law, government, or public policy.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Knowledge of sunshine and public records laws and DOAH proceedings.
• Ability to attend city meetings in person or virtually.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Discretion with sensitive matters.

Responsibilities

• Advise and attend public meetings during business hours or evenings.
• Draft, review, and provide input on contracts, policies, ordinances, resolutions, and interlocal agreements.
• Provide guidance and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal law and administrative rules.
• Develop and implement strategies to mitigate legal exposure for the municipality and/or school board.
• Represent public and private clients in land use, zoning, procurement disputes, code enforcement, and local ordinance matters.
• Represent city and local governments in hearings, administrative reviews, arbitrations, mediations, and other proceedings.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Advisory skills

Job description

Where You’ll Work

Dade City is the preferred location for this position and candidates must reside in the vicinity of Pasco, Pinellas, or Hillsborough County. The firm offers a flexible, hybrid work environment while prioritizing collaboration and integration with the team.

Occasional travel to attend governmental meetings and to meet with officials is required.

What You’ll Do

• Advise and attend public meetings both during business hours and in the evening when necessary.
• Draft, review, and provide legal input on legal contracts, policies, ordinances, resolutions, and interlocal agreements
• Provide guidance and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal law, and administrative rules, including public record and sunshine law, procurement and public contracts, ethics laws, state preemption, and local government legislative processes.
• Develop and implement strategies to mitigate legal exposure for the municipality and/or school board, in partnership with local staff
• Represent both public and private clients in the areas of land use and zoning, public
• contract and procurement disputes, code enforcement and local ordinance
• Represent city and local governments in legal proceedings, including hearings, administrative reviews, arbitrations, mediations, and other proceedings

Who We’re Looking For

• 2+ years of legal experience, preferably in litigation, municipal law, government, or public
• policy, but candidates with experience in employment/labor law, public finance, or
• real estate will be considered
• Strong legal research, legal writing, and advisory skills
• Knowledge of and state court rules, including sunshine and public records laws, Administrative Code, Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) proceedings
• Ability to attend in-person or virtual city government meetings as needed
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to successfully collaborate with others and explain complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences
• Strong time management skills and ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
• Ability to think critically and creatively, and maintain high standards of professionalism and client service
• Ability to maintain discretion with sensitive and confidential matters

Who We Are

We’re not just another law firm - we’re something different. The attorneys at Shumaker are known for creating strong, collaborative working relationships with each other and with their clients. Shumaker attorneys experience true camaraderie, backed by a unique paralegal and staff infrastructure, that allows their practice to thrive. As one of the 200 largest law firms in the United States, we look for skilled professionals who want to build a lifelong career with us.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting frequently, approximately six out of eight hours per day. Sitting position static for up to one-half hour at a time.
• Standing or walking frequently, up to six hours per day.
• Lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds occasionally, up to one hour per day.
• Bending and stooping occasionally, up to one-half hour per day.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access to employment opportunities. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.