Trial Court Staff Attorney
Listed on 2026-01-18
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Law/Legal
Legal Counsel, Lawyer
20th Judicial Circuit Court;
Lee and Charlotte County, FL
$64,999.44 annually (10% below minimum if not yet passed the Florida Bar)*
Job DescriptionThe position of Trial Court Law Clerk/Staff Attorney to the Judges of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court is a professional position that entails research and writing of legal memoranda, draft opinions, and draft orders in all types of circuit and county court matters, including but not limited to criminal matters, post‑conviction motions, related civil matters such as petitions for extraordinary relief filed by or on behalf of sentenced inmates and pretrial detainees, and other miscellaneous pre‑trial or post‑trial criminal issues, appeals from county court (both civil and criminal), and civil matters, including miscellaneous pre‑trial or post‑trial civil issues, and domestic relations and family law issues.
Work is performed under general supervision of the Supervising Senior Staff Attorney and Judges, reviewed in progress as necessary and upon completion.
A Staff Attorney’s primary responsibilities include the following: (1) Assist Criminal Division Judges, (2) Assist Civil Division Judges, (3) Assist the Appellate Banc with County‑to‑Circuit Appeals, (4) Other duties as assigned.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities- Review and monitor post‑conviction motions, conduct legal research, make recommendations to judges, and submit proposed orders.
- Review miscellaneous pre‑trial or post‑trial criminal motions, or any other criminal matter as requested, conduct legal research, make recommendations to judges, and submit proposed orders.
- Upon request, draft proposed jury instructions and advise as to sentencing options.
- Monitor death penalty proceedings, conduct legal research, make recommendations to judges, and submit proposed orders.
- Conduct research as to current law, and advise judges on various legal issues.
- Review and monitor petitions seeking extraordinary remedies, conduct legal research, make recommendations to judges, draft memoranda of law, and submit proposed orders.
- Review miscellaneous pre‑trial or post‑trial civil motions, or any other civil matter as requested, conduct legal research, make recommendations to judges, draft memoranda of law, and submit proposed orders.
- Conduct research as to current law, and advise judges on various legal issues.
- Review and monitor appeal files at the pre‑disposition stages, conduct legal research, make recommendations to the Appellate Banc, and submit proposed orders to the Appellate Banc.
- Once appeals are ready for disposition, review trial records and appellate briefs, conduct legal research, submit memoranda with recommendation to Appellate Banc, and submit proposed opinions to the Appellate Banc.
- Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
- Proficient in computerized legal research, including Westlaw and/or Lexis‑Nexis.
- Work experience that demonstrates orientation towards public service.
- Ability to work on occasion outside normal business hours based on operational necessity.
- Ability to utilize Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Membership in good standing in the Florida Bar is required; if not already a member, membership is required within one year of hire.
- This position is eligible for hybrid‑telework after successful completion of training, six‑months of continuous service, and management approval.
- Membership in good standing in the Florida Bar is required; if not already a member, membership within one year of hire is required.
- Valid Florida Driver’s License is preferred.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Knowledge of:
- Legal principles, statutory and case law, court rules and procedures.
- Legal…
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