GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 17TH CIRCUIT- ATTORNEY- 21015427

State of Florida; Fort Lauderdale (FL); Remote; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Florida is seeking a Guardian ad Litem Attorney to provide legal representation for abused and neglected children. This role involves working with a multi-disciplinary team, conducting investigations, and advocating effectively in court. The position offers flexibility for remote work after onboarding and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Ideal candidates will possess strong legal skills and a commitment to child advocacy.

Benefits

State of Florida Retirement package

Paid state holidays

Paid personal holiday

Paid sick leave

Annual leave hours

Life insurance coverage

Public Loan Forgiveness Program

State Tuition Waiver Program

Qualifications

• Possession of legal skills sufficient to represent children.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals involved in litigation.

Responsibilities

• Represent children in court and advocate on their behalf.
• Conduct independent investigations and develop legal strategies.
• Attend court proceedings and meet with relevant parties.

Skills

Legal Skills

Communication

Advocacy

Education

Graduation from an accredited law school

Membership in the Florida Bar

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

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GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 17TH CIRCUIT- ATTORNEY- 21015427

Date: May 14, 2025

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on ourE-Verify Website .

Requisition No:840671

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 17TH CIRCUIT- ATTORNEY- 21015427

(This position has the ability to be flexible for a remote work schedule after successful onboarding.)

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization that provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned and neglected children in Florida’s dependency court proceedings. The Office upholds the highest standards of integrity, excellence and child centered representation. Guardian ad Litem Attorneys are assigned by the Office to represent children as part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes a child welfare professional and hopefully a community volunteer or pro bono attorney. In addition, dependency judges rely on the Guardian ad Litem to provide them with thorough and accurate information regarding the children under the court’s jurisdiction. More information about the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office can be found at www.guardianadlitem.org .

BENEFITS PACKAGE

As an employee with the State of Florida, your benefits are a significant part of your compensation with 19 percent of your total compensation coming from the benefits that the State offers. Total compensation inclusive of the benefits listed below is valued at a minimum of $81,037.24. Actual total compensation will vary based on insurance and retirement elections.

As a fulltime employee, your insurance rate will be significantly low due to the contribution of the State of Florida. In fact, single coverage is as low as $8.34 per month with family coverage costing only $30 per month. While the rates are higher for halftime employees, health insurance options are still available to you as long as you are in a salaried position.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:

• State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or investment plan (3% employee contribution required)
• (9) Paid state holidays
• Paid personal holiday
• (13) Paid sick leave days
• (176) Annual leave hours
• Life insurance $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions. Employee may purchase additional coverage
• Additional supplemental insurances are available such as dental, vision, disability, etc.
• Florida Bar annual dues are paid for by the Agency, contingent upon agency approval
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• No State of Florida income tax for residents of Florida
• State Tuition Waiver Program
• Introductory training on guardianship practice, dependency law and practice fundamentals as well as best practice guidance for attorneys communicating with and representing children.
• Ongoing live in-person trainings and webinars on case law, evidence, legal writing, trial skills, and ethics which fulfills CLE requirements. Annual advanced litigation skills training.
• Online training academy with a catalog of introductory and advanced courses on topics to include dependency law, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, psychotropic medications, independent living, developmental disabilities, trauma, human trafficking, educational advocacy, and more.
• Lexis Nexis legal research search engine access.

ABOUT THE WORK

• This position has the ability to be flexible for a remote work schedule after successful onboarding.
• Work is performed under the supervision of the Managing Attorney or his or her designee.
• Guardian ad Litem Attorneys are assigned by the Office to represent children and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, representing each child with a focus on timely achievement of permanency and normalcy for the child.
• The work involves contact with people in stressful situations, and the incumbent must exercise discretion in dealing with confidential and extremely sensitive issues before the court.
• The incumbent reviews case files to identify legal issues, conducts an independent investigation of the facts of the case, researches and develops legal strategies for the cases, files pleadings, and motions, and attends court proceedings including, but not limited to, hearings, depositions, and mediations, and meets with Guardian ad Litem staff, witnesses, collateral contacts pertinent to the case, and the children represented by the Office.
• The Attorney represents, advocates, and negotiates for the assigned children inside and outside the courtroom. The incumbent also performs other duties assigned by management.
• Incumbents in this class report directly to the Managing Attorney of their assigned Circuit for all activities related to the practice of law; and also works under the operational and administrative supervision of the Circuit Director.

ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Possession of legal skills and knowledge sufficient to represent the children appointed to the Office as evidenced by admission to The Florida Bar. Ability to advocate effectively in court on behalf of the child.
• Knowledge of juvenile law, including relevant rules of procedure and evidence, and guardian ad litem legal representation for children.
• Ability to communicate effectively and deal tactfully with individuals involved in litigation and stressful situations. Ability to work with individuals from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer, including software programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• A valid Florida Driver’s License is required.
• Graduation from an accredited law school, membership in the Florida Bar. Candidates may be considered pending admission if granted by the Executive Director or their designee.
• An exception for the required experience may be granted by the Executive Director or his designee.
• Click on the “Career Opportunities” icon.
• Scroll down to the link, “Submit Your Guardian ad Litem Employment Application Here.”
• Complete the “mini” job application and attach your current resume.
• Select Broward for the job location
• You may also email, fax or mail your Cover Letter, Resume and Guardian ad Litem Application to the following:
• Mail : Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office

Attention: Samantha Matalon

Suite 1000

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), 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 the date of your retirement.

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). Notification to the hiring authority must be made 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.

Location:

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, US, 33301

Nearest Major Market: Fort Lauderdale
Nearest Secondary Market: Miami

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time