Guardian Ad Litem Office, State Office, Appellate Attorney

Requisition No: 825209

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, STATE OFFICE, APPELLATE ATTORNEY- 21015566

Pay Plan: Justice Admin Comm.

Position Number: 21015566

Salary: $70,000.00

Posting Closing Date: 05/31/2024

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Remote, Appellate Attorney

STATEWIDE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE

(This position is fully remote.)

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. Dependency judges rely on the Guardian ad Litem to provide them with thorough and accurate information regarding the children under the court’s jurisdiction. The Office upholds the highest standards of integrity, excellence, and zealous advocacy for the children it represents.

This position requires legal research and writing on dependency and administrative law issues and analysis and evaluation of circuit court cases for appellate issues. Appellate attorneys are assigned to handle dependency case appeals for specific regions/circuits; provide legal advice and representation on appellate issues impacting legal operations at state and circuit level; draft and file all necessary notices, briefs, motions, and other pleadings and papers in appellate courts; and presenti oral arguments in dependency appeals to appellate courts. 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 $100,317.94. 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
• (1) 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
• No mandatory night/weekend/holiday scheduled work
• 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 is fully remote.
• Work is performed under the supervision of the Director of Appeals and Pro Bono Operations or his or her designee.
• This position requires legal research and writing on dependency and administrative law issues and analysis and evaluation of circuit court cases for appellate issues.
• 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, researches and develops legal strategies for the cases, and meets with Guardian ad Litem staff and the children represented by the Office.
• The Attorney drafts and files all necessary notices, briefs, motions, and other pleadings and papers in appellate courts.
• Incumbents present oral arguments when ordered by an appellate court.

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 and two years of experience in the practice of appellate law. Dependency experience preferred.

IMPORTANT!– Please navigate to the following website: www.guardianadlitem.org to apply for this position:

• 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 STATE OFFICE for the job location

OR

• Email your mini application and resume directly to SO.Apps@gal.fl.gov

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.