Committee Attorney

Legal Counsel Position

This is highly complex legal work providing professional legal counsel, advice and representation to the chair and vice chair of a committee. An employee in a position allocated to this class serves as the senior legal expert to a legislative committee and lead for the other attorneys in the committee.

Financial disclosure is required pursuant to sections and , Florida Statutes, to electronically file a Form 1 – Statement of Financial Interests with the Florida Commission on Ethics within 30 days of hire.

Examples of work performed include:

• Supervising and participating in conducting complex legal research in highly technical and specialized areas requiring extensive legal experience.
• Preparing and drafting legal opinions involving statute and rule interpretation.
• Analyzing and drafting legislative bills, resolutions, and amendments for the committee where a thorough knowledge of the existing statutes and statutory requirements in drafting legislative bills is required.
• Supervising and participating in rendering legal counsel and advice to the committee chair and vice chair in developing agency programs and regulations, and in interpreting state and federal legislative acts requiring extensive legal experience, knowledge of the law, and the exercise of a high degree of independent judgment.
• Recommending needed changes to legislation based upon trends in case law, agency comment or citizen request.
• Performing legal research concerning the interpretation of Florida Statutes and on other matters in question for the committee chair or vice chair; answering telephone inquiries and composing responses to constituents.
• Serving as the lead attorney, coordinating and supervising the work of the other attorneys on the committee.
• Reviewing agency action pursuant to Chapter 120, the Administrative Procedures Act, to identify instances of the invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority; monitoring Florida court cases and administrative decisions and advising agencies in committee subject areas accordingly; preparing and presenting proposed objections to full committee; reviewing statutes passed each session and calling to the attention of the agencies all those which may require administrative rule promulgation, repeal or amendment.
• Maintaining communications with agency heads, or their assigned deputies, assistants, and agency general counsel.
• Performing other related duties as required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required include:

• Knowledge of legal terminology.
• Knowledge of Florida laws and legal procedure.
• Knowledge of the Florida Constitution.
• Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, research, and organization.
• Ability to provide legal counsel.
• Ability to interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules.
• Ability to employ legal reasoning and to foresee possible legal problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Ability to take action in situations which lack clear direction.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to use independent judgment when releasing information to the public.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Ability to conduct meetings and to make presentations.
• Ability to perform legal writing and prepare various legal documents.
• Ability to research legal documents and legal references.
• Ability to prepare and present briefs, pleadings, and oral arguments.
• Ability to draft legislation.
• Ability to supervise people.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar and three years of professional experience in the practice of law, legal research, teaching law, or in administrative or judicial hearings.
• Salary commensurate with experience. The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.
• Accommodation for disability: If an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources.

Working for the Florida Legislature includes a lucrative benefits package, including affordable health insurance options, free dental, long-term disability and employee life insurance, as well as competitive retirement. Employees have access to a college tuition waiver program, an employee assistance program, paid annual and sick leave, and paid holidays.