PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21013410

State of Florida; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Florida Retirement System

Paid holidays

Leave accrual

Job summary

State of Florida seeks an experienced attorney for the Marion County office in Ocala as an Assistant Public Defender in the 5th Circuit. The role requires handling felony cases with zealous advocacy, managing a high-volume caseload, and maintaining strong client communication and professional relations within the legal community.

The position offers state benefits including health insurance, retirement options, and generous leave/holiday accruals.

Qualifications

• Licensed member of the Florida Bar, in good standing.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Professional demeanor and a desire for excellence in the practice of law.
• Dedication to serving clients and providing the best possible legal representation.

Responsibilities

• Providing effective and professional representation of individuals charged with felony criminal offenses.
• Zealously advocating for each client through critical analysis of cases, motion practice, and jury trials.
• Preparing each case efficiently and effectively utilizing office and community resources.
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload while maintaining adequate levels of communication and attention to individual clients.
• Advising and counseling clients to achieve the best result, establishing professional relationships with clients and the legal community.
• Utilizing innovative defense strategies to achieve the best outcome for clients.

Skills

Excellent communication

Advocacy

Legal research

Education

Florida Bar admission

Job description

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PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21013410

Date: Aug 31, 2026

Requisition No:882778

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21013410

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

Michael A. Graves, 5th Circuit Public Defender , overseeing a five county circuit, is seeking an experienced attorney for our Marion County office, located in Ocala, Florida.

Salary range is from $75,000 to $85,000 with generous State of Florida benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing effective and professional representation of individuals charged with felony criminal offenses;
• Zealously advocating for each client through critical analysis of cases, motion practice, and jury trials;
• Preparing each case efficiently and effectively utilizing office and community resources;
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload while maintaining adequate levels of communication and attention to individual clients;
• Advising and counseling clients in order to achieve the best result possible in their case; establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with clients and the legal community;
• Utilizing innovative, holistic defense strategies to achieve the best outcome for clients.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed member of the Florida Bar, in good standing;
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Professional demeanor and a desire for excellence in the practice of law;
• Dedication to serving clients and providing the best possible legal representation to our clients.

BENEFITS

• State Group Insurance coverage options including health (premiums as low as $8.34 a month), $25,000 life policy (at no charge), dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and various other supplemental insurance options;
• Enrollment in the Florida Retirement System (2 plan options Pension or Investment);
• Monthly accrual of annual and sick leave hours;
• Approximately 13 paid holidays, based on our Circuit’s Judicial Holiday calendar.
• 13 paid holidays, based on our Circuit’s Judicial Holiday calendar.

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.

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.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.