Trial Court Staff Attorney (Legal Clerk) (State Funded)

Salary is Non-Negotiable. The successful candidate will be hired at the minimum salary. NEW SALARY: $68,067.48 (annual salary of $64,999.44 plus Competitive Area Differential pay of $255.67 per month).

The Trial Court Law Clerk Program is an excellent way for attorneys (especially graduating 3Ls and recent law school graduates) to become familiar with state court practice and procedure by working with different trial judges in different court divisions. The program is designed to allow Trial Court Law Clerks the opportunity to obtain broad exposure to a variety of legal subject areas; strengthen research, writing, and oral communication skills; gain in-depth insight into the process of judicial decision-making; interact with, and learn from, seasoned court staff; attend judicial proceedings, periodic in-house “lunch & learns,” and trainings; learn about various judicial programs and services offered in the Circuit; and become involved with the legal community and bar associations in Miami-Dade County. The primary function of Trial Court Law Clerks is to assist county and circuit judges in the disposition of legal issues. The work performed by Trial Court Law Clerks involves considerable interpretation and judgment in the analysis of legal issues arising under the jurisdiction of the county and circuit courts. Trial Court Law Clerks are rotated through different court divisions and exposed to various areas of law, including civil, criminal, juvenile, probate, family, and domestic violence.

Working contacts are established with judges and other trial court personnel. Work is performed and reviewed under the general supervision of a Supervising Staff Attorney.

Work will be performed in-person/on-site at a courthouse location.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Research substantive and procedural matters.
• Prepares legal documents, including memoranda of law and proposed opinions, judgments, and orders.
• Reviews case files, evidence, depositions, pleadings, motions, legal briefs, memoranda of law, proposed orders, and other related documents to advise judges in a variety of legal areas.
• Provides immediate legal research and recommendations required by judges conducting court sessions.
• Attends staff meetings; professional workshops, seminars or conferences; and judicial proceedings as required.
• Prepares and presents appellate bench memoranda and proposed opinions to a three-judge panel.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school by the start date of November or December 2026.
• Member of Florida Bar in good standing at the time of hire or within one year after hire.
• Strong academic record.
• Excellent research, writing, and oral communication skills.
• Law review/journal membership, moot court participation, court system/teaching/research work experience, or commitment to public service preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of and ability to use word processing software such as Word; must have sufficient typing ability to produce own memos, orders, etc.
• Ability to conduct legal research, including proficiency in the use of legal publications and on-line services, such as Westlaw and/or Lexis.
• Ability to understand and apply legal principles, statutory and case law, court rules and procedures.
• Ability to reason logically and analytically.
• Ability to grasp, comprehend, and analyze complex legal issues and complicated factual details.
• Ability to perform exacting work.
• Ability to communicate ideas and concepts effectively and succinctly, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise discretion, confidentiality, impartiality and honesty in handling matters before the court.
• Ability to work effectively with others and/or to work independently.

For candidates who have graduated from an accredited Law School, but have not passed the Florida Bar, the salary will be 10% below the minimum, which will be NEW SALARY: $61,567.56 (annual salary of $58,499.52 plus Competitive Area Differential pay of $255.67 per month).

Working Conditions/Physical Demands/Licenses Certifications

Working Conditions:

• Moderate noise; business office setting.

Physical Demands:

• Work involves a significant amount of standing, walking, sitting, talking, listening, balancing, stooping, and reaching with hands and arms; must be able to transfer up to 10 lbs.

• Florida Bar membership in good standing at the time of hire, or within one year after hire, is required.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. We also offer hybrid remote/onsite work schedules for certain positions throughout the Court. To determine if the job you wish to apply for is eligible for a partial remote work schedule, please review the job announcement for that position.

Part-time employees and those hired into "Other Personal Services" (OPS) positions may also be eligible for certain benefits depending upon the number of hours worked per week.