General Counsel

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.

The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.

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 (561) 355-4380 at least 7 days before your scheduled either in-person or telephonic interview; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711.”