Job Description

Requisition No: 883507

Agency: State Courts System

Working Title: Senior Trial Court Staff Attorney/Trial Court Staff Attorney I or II - 22012368

Pay Plan: State Courts System

Position Number: 22012368

Salary: $58,499.52 - $76,040.16 Annually

Posting Closing Date: 11/10/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Position Title

Senior Trial Court Staff Attorney/Trial Court Staff Attorney I or II

Job Location

10th Judicial Circuit Court; Polk County/ Bartow, FL

Salary Range

$58,499.52 - $76,040.16 Annually

Job Description

This professional position is responsible for conducting legal research and completing assignments related to the composition of legally sufficient documents, i.e. court orders, memorandums of law, etc., at the trial court level. Work involves considerable legal interpretation and analysis of case specific legal issues in the area(s) of criminal, civil, family, juvenile, probate, appellate and/or administrative law. Contacts are established primarily with trial court judges and personnel. Work is performed under the general supervision of any and all assigned judges as well as the General Counsel; and progress is reviewed as required and applicable.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Draft orders, review briefs, and research substantive and procedural issues;
• Conduct legislative research and track legislation applicable to the court;
• Conduct research on case flow management and caseload distribution studies;
• Perform research related to specific questions of law at the direction of any and all judges who preside over this position’s assigned court divisions;
• Perform administrative duties as required and applicable;
• Assist on court related committees;
• Perform all other related duties as required and applicable.

Education and Training Guidelines

• Senior Trial Court Staff Attorney: Graduation from an accredited law school. Membership in good standing with The Florida Bar Association. At least five years of legal experience.
• Trial Court Staff Attorney II: Graduation from an accredited law school. Membership in good standing with The Florida Bar Association. Less than five years of legal experience.
• Trail Court Staff Attorney I: Graduation from an accredited law school. Not a member of The Florida Bar Association. Membership in good standing with The Florida Bar Association is required within one year of hire.

Competencies

Knowledge of the organization and function of the court system; knowledge of legal principles, statutes, case law, court rules and procedures; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (including but not limited to Microsoft 365) and other various applications.

The person chosen for this position must also possess the ability to:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing with clarity, diplomacy, purpose and attention to detail;
• Display exemplary listening and comprehension skills;
• Reason logically and analytically;
• Interact courteously and professionally with emotionally upset and/or demanding individuals;
• Take direction and follow instructions implicitly;
• Correctly prioritize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Compute simple statistics and mathematics such as percentages;
• Grasp, comprehend, and analyze complex legal issues and complicated factual details;
• Apply careful attention and precision to legal issues related to matters brought before the court that require judicial response or action;
• Have exceptional reading and legal interpretation skills;
• Digest and communicate ideas and concepts orally and in writing;
• Exercise discretion, confidentiality, impartiality, and transparency in handling matters before the court in accordance with Court Administration policies, the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, the Florida Statutes, and the Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, and other applicable rules or laws;
• Work effectively with others as well as work independently, without close supervision;
• Produce and prepare own work product for dissemination to the assigned judge for review, execution and distribution to all applicable parties;
• Possess exemplary and comprehensive legal research skills;
• Comprehensive knowledge of legal publications and case law search engines such as Westlaw, as well as the ability to use them efficiently, including computer assisted research via on-line services; and Lift heavy packages up to 50 lbs. to a height of three (3) to four (4) feet for the purpose of moving, transporting and/or delivering them to their required location as required.

Special Comments

• All offers of employment will be conditioned upon a satisfactory criminal history check.
• An application addendum is required for final applicants.
• Up to two days of telework per week may be authorized after six-month probationary period.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• The successful candidate will be hired at the minimum salary.
• We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must complete a State of Florida Job application form and submit it along with their cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample to:

Stephanie Sullivan

Human Resources Manager

Post Office Box 9000, Drawer J102

Bartow, FL 33831-9000

Telephone: (863) 534-4035

Fax: (863) 534-4699

If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the application/selection process, please notify the Administrative Office of the Courts in advance by calling (863) 534-4686.

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.