Requisition No: 789567
Agency: State Courts System
Working Title: GENERAL COUNSEL - 22008646
Position Number: 22008646
Salary: $90,537.38 - $162,967.27 Annually
Posting Closing Date: 01/06/2023
Job Description
General Counsel is a professional legal position that serves as legal advocate and counsel for the interests of the 12th Judicial Circuit. The position is responsible for supervising court counsel staff, providing legal counsel, formulating, and implementing policies to comply with statutory and rule requirements, and performing administrative functions, including reporting. The position formulates long range goals for the court based upon legal requirements; develops policy, and works with the Trial Court Administrator, Chief Judge, and other elected officials. This position must be able to successfully manage several on-going projects at one time.
Examples of Work:
Provides direction, legal advice and counsel to Chief Judge and Trial Court Administrator concerning legal issues affecting the circuit and judges; researches legal issues, determines program policy after consultation with the Chief Judge and Trial Court Administrator, and communicates with governmental and private entities.
Supervises court counsel staff, including organizing, recommending selection, training, assigning, and evaluating work, counseling, disciplining, and recommending termination. Evaluates, develops and modifies the workflow of court counsel assignments.
Prepares, negotiates, and reviews contracts, administrative orders, and other legal instruments for the circuit; renders opinions relative to substance, form, and propriety of documents; reviews legally sensitive correspondence.
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. Includes human resources actions, public records requests, media inquiries, and other related legal matters.
Collaborates on the preparation and coordination of public information for release; edits material designed for internal and external communication to ensure credibility, understanding and readability; and approves 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.
Provides legal assistance in the interpretation and implementation of new legislation; develops, reviews, and evaluates operational policies and procedures.
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.
Education and Training Guidelines
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school is required. Membership in good standing with the Florida Bar is required. Strong writing skills are required.
Experience
The applicant must have at least seven years of related work experience, including extensive knowledge of Florida State Courts System operations, and at least three years’ experience supervising staff.
How to Apply
For additional information and to apply, visit the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida Employment website https://www.jud12.flcourts.org/About/Career-Opportunities.
Submit the completed state employment application located on the Circuit’s website, resume, and cover letter.
Submit by e-mail is preferred to the address HR@jud12.flcourts.org; or submit by mail to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Human Resources Manager, Post Office Box 48927, Sarasota, Florida 34230; or by Fax to (941) 861-7904.
The state employment application must be received to be considered.
For additional information about the job advertised contact Heather Blanton by phone at 941-749-3600, extension 1791; or by e-mail at the address HR@jud12.flcourts.org.
The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, genetic, disability, or political affiliations.
We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.
If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or selection process, please call the contact person at the number indicated for each respective position.
Persons using a TTY/TDD may call the contact person through the FLORIDA RELAY SERVICE: (Voice) 1-800-955-8770, (TDD) 1-800-955-8771, NATIONAL RELAY SERVICE: 711
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.