Senior Attorney

Florida; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Florida Legislature in Tallahassee seeks a Senior Attorney to provide professional legal counsel, prepare legislation and opinions, and conduct research to support legislative committees. This intermediate level role involves drafting bills, evaluating state statutes, and offering strategic legal guidance on regulatory programs.

Candidates should be in good standing with The Florida Bar and have at least two years of professional legal experience, including research, teaching law, or

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Florida laws and legal procedure.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules.
• Ability to employ legal reasoning and foresee potential legal problems.

Responsibilities

• Conducts legal research in evaluating state statutes and prepares legal opinions and trial briefs, pleadings, and oral arguments.
• Drafts legislative bills, resolutions, and amendments in technically complete language.
• Provides legal counsel and advice to authorized persons in drafting legislation and developing agency programs and regulations.
• Maintains communications with agency heads and staff; assists in representing the Legislature in court and at hearings as needed.

Skills

Legal terminology

Florida laws

Reading comprehension

Legal counsel

Interpreting legislation

Legal reasoning

Effective communication

Independent research

Organizational skills

Job description

The Florida Legislature

The Florida Senate - Committee on Judiciary

Job Title

Senior Attorney

General Summary

Provides legal work in the examination and preparation of legislation, legislative programs, legal instruments, opinions, briefs, or other documents; conducts research to assist a higher level attorney or staff director; and provides counsel and advice to legislative committees. This is intermediate level work providing professional legal counsel, advice, and opinions on legal matters.

Financial Disclosure

Pursuant to sections 112.3144 and 112.3145, F.S., this position is required to electronically file a Form 1 – Statement of Financial Interests with the Florida Commission on Ethics within 30 days of hire.

Examples of Work Performed

• Conducts legal research in evaluating state statutes and prepares legal opinions on questions submitted by authorized persons, and trial briefs, pleadings, and oral arguments for cases brought before state and federal courts.
• Drafts legislative bills, resolutions, and amendments in technically complete language.
• Provides legal counsel and advice to authorized persons in drafting legislation and developing agency programs and regulations, and interprets state and federal legislation as it affects the operations of state agency programs.
• Recommends needed changes to legislation based upon trends in case law, agency comment or citizen request.
• Performs legal research concerning the interpretation of Florida Statutes and on other matters in question for Legislators and staff; answers telephone inquiries and composes routine responses to constituents.
• Assists in preparing trial briefs, pleadings, and oral arguments for cases brought before state and federal courts.
• Assists in representing the Legislature in court and at legislative or administrative hearings under supervision of more experienced attorneys.
• Maintains communications with agency heads, or their assigned deputies, assistants, and agency general counsels.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of legal terminology.
• Knowledge of Florida laws and legal procedure.
• Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, research, and organization.
• Ability to provide legal counsel.
• Ability to interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules.
• Ability to employ legal reasoning and to foresee possible legal problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Ability to take action in situations that lack clear direction.
• Ability to take initiative on independent research projects.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public, press and lobbyists.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to use independent judgment when releasing information to the public.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Ability to conduct meetings and to make presentations.
• Ability to perform legal writing and prepare various legal documents.
• Ability to research legal documents and legal references.
• Ability to prepare and present trial briefs, pleadings, and oral arguments.

Minimum Qualifications

Attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar and two years of professional experience in the practice of law, legal research, teaching law, or in administrative or judicial hearings.

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience. The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.

Application Deadline

Open until filled.

Accommodation for Disability

If an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources at [phone].