Job Description

Requisition No: 867403

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21011670

Pay Plan: Pub.DefndrsJAC PIB

Position Number: 21011670

Salary: $68,000.00 - $70,000.00

Posting Closing Date: 06/23/2026

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Michael A. Graves, 5th Circuit Public Defender, overseeing a five county circuit, is seeking entry level attorneys for our Marion County office located in Ocala and our Lake County office located in Tavares.

Salary range is from $68,000 to $70,000 with generous State of Florida benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Email resume directly to Shanna Wilson at swilson@pdo5.org or through the People First Electronic system.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing effective and professional representation of individuals charged with misdemeanors and criminal traffic offenses;
• Zealously advocating for each client through critical analysis of cases, motion practice, and jury trials;
• Preparing each case efficiently and effectively utilizing office and community resources;
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload while maintaining adequate levels of communication and attention to individual clients;
• Advising and counseling clients in order to achieve the best result possible in their case; establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with clients and the legal community;
• Utilizing innovative, holistic defense strategies to achieve the best outcome for clients.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed member of the Florida Bar, in good standing;
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Professional demeanor and a desire for excellence in the practice of law;
• Dedication to serving clients and providing the best possible legal representation to our clients.

BENEFITS

• State Group Insurance coverage options including health (premiums as low as $8.34 a month), $25,000 life policy (at no charge), dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and various other supplemental insurance options;
• Enrollment in the Florida Retirement System (2 plan options Pension or Investment);
• Monthly accrual of annual and sick leave hours;
• Approximately 13 paid holidays, based on our Circuit’s Judicial Holiday calendar.

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.