PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21007717

State of Florida; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to the Florida Retirement System

Generous Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Tuition waiver

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The State of Florida is hiring an Assistant Public Defender for the 20th Circuit in Fort Myers. This full-time position involves advising clients on legal options, preparing cases, and maintaining effective communication with all parties involved.

Applicants must possess a Juris Doctorate and a Florida Bar license, with the ability to manage multiple cases. Benefits include access to the Florida Retirement System, generous paid time off, and more.

Qualifications

• Ability to read and interpret legal documents and business correspondence.
• Strong legal reasoning and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in preparing various reports and correspondence.

Responsibilities

• Conduct case research and prepare legal documents.
• Counsel clients on legal rights and options.
• Maintain communication with clients and court personnel.

Skills

Effective communication

Sound judgment

Organizational skills

Confidentiality

Legal analysis

Education

Juris Doctorate

Florida Bar license

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

General office equipment

Job description

Public Defender's Office, 20th Circuit – Assistant Public Defender

Date: May 18, 2026

Requisition No: 876144 | Agency: Justice Administrative Commission | Full‑time

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accept, research, and prepare cases efficiently and expeditiously.
• Advise and counsel clients regarding plea offers, rights, options, strategies, sentencing, and appellate rights.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with clients, families, witnesses, and court personnel.
• Maintain open lines of communication with all parties.
• Involve investigators, interns, and other support staff appropriately.
• Seek assistance from experts when necessary.
• Demonstrate maturity and a professional demeanor at all times.
• Exercise sound judgment to achieve desired results.
• Handle emergency assignments as needed.
• Attend and participate in training seminars, division meetings, and staffing sessions.
• Abide by all Public Defender policies and procedures and perform related work as required.

ABILITY TO

• Communicate effectively and professionally with clients and staff.
• Use correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Follow written and oral instructions and procedures.
• Exhibit sound judgment and good listening skills.
• Handle matters with integrity and confidentiality.
• Plan and prepare reports, correspondence, and charts in various formats.
• Use personal computers and general office equipment.
• Be extremely organized, establish priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Maintain an effective filing system.
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously, including long‑ and short‑range projects.
• Be flexible in work assignments and processes based on need.
• Travel to various locations throughout the circuit for assignments and training.
• Effectively utilize Microsoft Word and Outlook.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Juris Doctorate

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, legal documents, and governmental regulations; and to write reports, business correspondence, and transcripts.

REASONING ABILITY

Apply common sense to carry out instructions provided orally, in writing, or in diagram form; evaluate problems, isolate key issues, research, and develop alternative solutions.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

A Florida Bar license is required. Candidates awaiting admission may be considered during the application process.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Moderate noise level.

EQUIPMENT UTILIZED

Personal computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, calculators, cell phones.

BENEFITS

• Access to the Florida Retirement System
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition waiver
• Employee Assistance Program

SCHEDULE AND LOCATION

Fort Myers, FL 33901; Punta Gorda, FL 33950; LaBelle, FL 33935; Naples, FL 34112

EEO AND AT‑WILL STATEMENTS

The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, is an equal‑opportunity provider and employer. Employees are at‑will and the role may be revised or rescinded at any time. The State of Florida is an EEO employer.