What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Guardian Ad Litem Attorney position at Manatee County Government?
Work Location: 1051 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34205
Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm (Salary, Hours may vary)
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization. With more than 10,000 staff and volunteers, that includes more than 180 attorneys. Its primary focus is the powerful and effective representation of Florida’s abused, neglected, and abandoned children. Most of these children are abruptly removed from their homes, and sadly, many end up in foster care. The Office’s mission is to provide the most vulnerable children in Florida with an adult from their community who will be a consistent, positive presence in the child’s life as a part of a multi-disciplinary team that may include trained volunteers, pro bono attorneys, staff attorneys, and child welfare professionals providing the highest quality community advocacy and legal representation to protect each child’s rights and best interests. A critical function is to provide dependency judges with thorough and accurate information regarding the children under the court’s jurisdiction. The Office’s core values strongly reinforce and enhance its mission. Those values are:
• Commitment to Children
• Communication Built on Trust
• Collective Empowerment
• Collaboration
• Courtesy
An excellent overview of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office can be found at www.guardianadlitem.org.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
Cases assigned by the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office. Work is performed under the supervision of the Managing Attorney or his or her designee.
ABOUT THE WORK
The GAL Attorney may function as the attorney in a three-member multi-disciplinary guardian ad litem team or as an attorney guardian ad litem, representing each child with a focus on timely achievement of permanency and normalcy for the child. The work involves contact with people in stressful situations, and the incumbent must exercise discretion in dealing with confidential and extremely sensitive issues before the court. The incumbent reviews case files to identify legal issues, conducts an independent investigation of the facts of the case, researches and develops legal strategies for the cases, files pleadings, and motions, and attends court proceedings including, but not limited to, hearings, depositions, and mediations, and meets with Guardian ad Litem staff, witnesses, collateral contacts pertinent to the case, and the children represented by the Office. The Senior Attorney represents, advocates, and negotiates for the assigned children inside and outside the courtroom. GAL Attorneys assist other Guardian ad Litem Attorneys in developing and implementing case strategies. The incumbent also performs other duties assigned by management. Incumbents in this class report directly to the Managing Attorney of their assigned Circuit for all activities related to the practice of law; and also works under the operational and administrative supervision of the Circuit Director.
ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
A valid Florida Driver’s License is required. Graduation from an accredited law school, membership in the Florida Bar and two years of experience in the practice of dependency law. Trial experience strongly preferred. An exception for the required experience may be granted by the Executive Director or their designee.
ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Possession of legal skills and knowledge sufficient to represent the children assigned to the Guardian ad Litem Office in legal proceedings as evidenced by admission to The Florida Bar. Extensive knowledge of juvenile law and guardian ad litem legal representation for children. Ability to advocate effectively in court on behalf of the child. Ability to communicate effectively and deal tactfully with individuals involved in litigation and stressful situations. Ability to work with individuals from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds. Ability to utilize a personal computer, including software programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Salary : $65,000
