General Counsel
Apply NowCompany: 15th Judicial Circuit Court
Location: West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Description:
Salary: $101,916.17 Annually
Location : Main - 205 N. Dixie Hwy West Palm Beach, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Court Administration
Opening Date: 09/06/2024
SUMMARY
The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit is seeking a highly qualified attorney to serve as legal advocate and counsel for the interest of the Circuit. The incumbent will be responsible for law clerk supervision; formulating and implementing policies to comply with statutory and rule requirements; overseeing services and programs; responding to and managing public records requests and records retention inquires; drafting legal orders and Administrative orders; performing administrative functions, including reporting; and acting as legal counsel to the Chief Judge, Trial Court Administrator and on behalf of the Circuit. The position formulates long-range goals for the organization based upon legal requirements; develops policy and position papers. The General Counsel reports to the Trial Court Administrator.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school is required for this position.
Seven (7) years of related work experience, including extensive working knowledge of Florida State Courts System operations.
Two years of managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience.
Requires membership in Good Standing in The Florida Bar.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
During the Application Process please upload the following ATTACHMENTS:
NOTICE: Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will continue to be received until the position is filled. Submission of an application does not guarantee the applicant an interview. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on any of the protected classes.
Americans with Disabilities (ADA): If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in the interviewing process once selected, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, Palm Beach County Courthouse, 205 North Dixie Highway West Palm Beach, Florida 33401; telephone number ([redacted] at least 7 days before your scheduled either in-person or telephonic interview; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call "711."
PREMIUM BENEFITS PLAN:
01
Date Admitted to Practice in Florida
02
Preferred Mailing Address
03
Within the last five years, have you been formally reprimanded, demoted, disciplined, cautioned, placed on probation, suspended or terminated by an employer?
04
Are you currently the subject of an investigation which could result in civil, administrative or criminal action against you?
05
List all of your professional designations, certifications, and committee participation
06
List all courts (including state bar admissions) and administrative bodies having special admission requirements to which you are currently admitted to practice, giving the dates of admission.Mention Court or Administrative Body Date of Admission
07
State the names, dates and addresses for all firms which you have been associated in practice, governmental agencies or private business organizations by which you have been employed periods you have practiced as a sole practitioner, law clerkship and other prior employment
08
Describe the general nature of your current practice including any designated areas of practice:
09
Has a complaint about you ever been made to the Florida Bar of any other Bar or professional organization to which you are/were admitted? If so, give date, describe complaint and its resolution.
10
If you are now an officer, director or otherwise engaged in the management of any business enterprise, state the name of such enterprise, the nature of the business, the nature of your duties, and whether you intend to resign such position immediately if selected as magistrate.
11
Have you been or are you currently a party in any foreclosure litigation in the state of Florida? If so, please list the case citation, county and disposition:
12
Please list any current involvement in any mediation in the State of Florida.
13
Have you or your professional liability insurance carrier ever settled a claim against you for professional malpractice? If so, give particulars, including the amount involved.
14
Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit either as a Plaintiff or as a Defendant? If so, please supply style, case number, nature of the lawsuit, whether you were Plaintiff or Defendant and its disposition:
15
Has a tax lien ever been filed against you? If so, by whom, when, where and why?
16
List all bar associations and professional societies of which you are a member and give the titles and dates of any office which you have held in such groups and committees to which you belong.
17
Have you attended any continuing legal education programs during the past five years? If so, in what substantive areas?
18
In the last five years, have you taught any courses on law or lectured at bar association conferences, law school forums, or continuing legal education programs? If so, in what substantive areas?
19
Explain the particular potential contribution you believe your selection would bring to this position.
20
Give any other information pertaining to your qualifications that you believe would be helpful to the Selection Committee in evaluating your application.
21
List the names, addresses and telephone number of three persons who are in a position to comment on your qualifications for the Quasi-judicial position and of whom inquiry may be made by the Selection Committee.
22
Have you had any disciplinary actions taken against you by any State Bar?
23
If yes then please explain.
24
Have you uploaded your brief writing sample between three and five pages in length? Your application will be incomplete if not included.
Required Question
Location : Main - 205 N. Dixie Hwy West Palm Beach, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Court Administration
Opening Date: 09/06/2024
SUMMARY
The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit is seeking a highly qualified attorney to serve as legal advocate and counsel for the interest of the Circuit. The incumbent will be responsible for law clerk supervision; formulating and implementing policies to comply with statutory and rule requirements; overseeing services and programs; responding to and managing public records requests and records retention inquires; drafting legal orders and Administrative orders; performing administrative functions, including reporting; and acting as legal counsel to the Chief Judge, Trial Court Administrator and on behalf of the Circuit. The position formulates long-range goals for the organization based upon legal requirements; develops policy and position papers. The General Counsel reports to the Trial Court Administrator.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Provide legal advice and counsel to the Chief Judge and Trial Court Administrator on a wide range of legal issues affecting the circuit; and judges; directs or conducts legal research and writes or reviews analyses regarding duties and obligations of the Court.
- Supervises staff.
- Provides legal assistance in the interpretation and implementation of new legislation; develops, reviews, and evaluates operational policies and procedures.
- Assists the Chief Judge and Trial Court Administrator with planning, development, communication and implementation of the Court's orders, rules and policies.
- Develops and implements legal strategies and policies to ensure the circuit's judicial and administrative decisions and actions are based on sound legal and ethical principles.
- Prepares, negotiates and reviews contracts, ordinances, resolution, administrative orders, and other legal instruments for the circuit; renders opinions relative to substance, form and propriety of documents; reviews legally sensitive correspondence.
- Serves as liaison between the circuit and other governmental and private entities to maximize legal resources; represents or monitors representation of circuit in legal proceedings to prevent or minimize liability.
- Collaborates on preparation and coordination of public information for release; edits material designed for internal and external communication to ensure credibility understanding and readability, and to approve format, style, content, grammar and composition.
- Oversees administrative matters such as conducting legally sensitive investigations, preparing routine or special reports, preparing periodic employee performance evaluations, or assisting in preparation of training programs for judiciary and staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school is required for this position.
Seven (7) years of related work experience, including extensive working knowledge of Florida State Courts System operations.
Two years of managerial, administrative, or supervisory experience.
Requires membership in Good Standing in The Florida Bar.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledgeable in legal principles and practices, including civil, criminal, constitutional, contract, employment, administrative and business law and procedures.
- Knowledgeable in pertinent federal, state, and local laws, regulations and court decisions relating to the judiciary.
- Knowledgeable in methods of legal research.
- Ability to interpret local, state and federal laws, policies and procedures.
- Organize information and material into manageable form; apply data collected to resolve problems.
- Able to prepare and present effective written and oral reports, recommendations, judicial policies and procedures.
- Be committed to meeting the needs of the circuit promptly and effectively; adaptable and manage competing priorities successfully; demonstrated ability to engage in disciplined, thoughtful and creative legal analysis; maintain composure when faced with difficult and stressful person and/or situations.
- Ability to interact respectfully with others in the workplace.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
During the Application Process please upload the following ATTACHMENTS:
- Brief writing sample, between three and five pages in length
NOTICE: Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will continue to be received until the position is filled. Submission of an application does not guarantee the applicant an interview. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on any of the protected classes.
Americans with Disabilities (ADA): If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in the interviewing process once selected, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, Palm Beach County Courthouse, 205 North Dixie Highway West Palm Beach, Florida 33401; telephone number ([redacted] at least 7 days before your scheduled either in-person or telephonic interview; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call "711."
PREMIUM BENEFITS PLAN:
- Start earning vacation and sick leave your first day of employment!
- Eligible for fourteen (14) PAID court holidays your first day of employment!
- State Group Insurance Health Plan is only $50 (monthly) for individual coverage; and $180 (monthly) for family coverage!
- HMO - United Healthcare
- PPO - Florida Blue
- Retirement plan recognized nationally - Florida Retirement System (FRS)!
- A wide range of additional State benefits, including, but not limited to dental, vision, and disability insurance!
- Tax-free Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account!
- College Tuition Waiver Program!
- Cellular Plan Discounts!
01
Date Admitted to Practice in Florida
02
Preferred Mailing Address
03
Within the last five years, have you been formally reprimanded, demoted, disciplined, cautioned, placed on probation, suspended or terminated by an employer?
- Yes
- No
04
Are you currently the subject of an investigation which could result in civil, administrative or criminal action against you?
- Yes
- No
05
List all of your professional designations, certifications, and committee participation
06
List all courts (including state bar admissions) and administrative bodies having special admission requirements to which you are currently admitted to practice, giving the dates of admission.Mention Court or Administrative Body Date of Admission
07
State the names, dates and addresses for all firms which you have been associated in practice, governmental agencies or private business organizations by which you have been employed periods you have practiced as a sole practitioner, law clerkship and other prior employment
08
Describe the general nature of your current practice including any designated areas of practice:
09
Has a complaint about you ever been made to the Florida Bar of any other Bar or professional organization to which you are/were admitted? If so, give date, describe complaint and its resolution.
10
If you are now an officer, director or otherwise engaged in the management of any business enterprise, state the name of such enterprise, the nature of the business, the nature of your duties, and whether you intend to resign such position immediately if selected as magistrate.
11
Have you been or are you currently a party in any foreclosure litigation in the state of Florida? If so, please list the case citation, county and disposition:
12
Please list any current involvement in any mediation in the State of Florida.
13
Have you or your professional liability insurance carrier ever settled a claim against you for professional malpractice? If so, give particulars, including the amount involved.
14
Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit either as a Plaintiff or as a Defendant? If so, please supply style, case number, nature of the lawsuit, whether you were Plaintiff or Defendant and its disposition:
15
Has a tax lien ever been filed against you? If so, by whom, when, where and why?
16
List all bar associations and professional societies of which you are a member and give the titles and dates of any office which you have held in such groups and committees to which you belong.
17
Have you attended any continuing legal education programs during the past five years? If so, in what substantive areas?
18
In the last five years, have you taught any courses on law or lectured at bar association conferences, law school forums, or continuing legal education programs? If so, in what substantive areas?
19
Explain the particular potential contribution you believe your selection would bring to this position.
20
Give any other information pertaining to your qualifications that you believe would be helpful to the Selection Committee in evaluating your application.
21
List the names, addresses and telephone number of three persons who are in a position to comment on your qualifications for the Quasi-judicial position and of whom inquiry may be made by the Selection Committee.
22
Have you had any disciplinary actions taken against you by any State Bar?
- Yes
- No
23
If yes then please explain.
24
Have you uploaded your brief writing sample between three and five pages in length? Your application will be incomplete if not included.
- Yes
- No
Required Question