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 112.3144 and 112.3145, 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

• Supervises and participates in conducting complex legal research in highly technical and specialized areas requiring extensive legal experience.
• Prepares and drafts legal opinions involving statute and rule interpretation.
• Analyzes and drafts 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.
• Supervises and participates 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.
• Recommends needed changes to legislation based upon trends in case law, agency comment or citizen request.
• Performs legal research concerning the interpretation of Florida Statutes and on other matters in question for the committee chair or vice chair; answers telephone inquiries and composes responses to constituents.
• Serves as the lead attorney, coordinating and supervising the work of the other attorneys on the committee.
• Reviews agency action pursuant to Chapter 120, the Administrative Procedures Act, to identify instances of the invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority; monitors Florida court cases and administrative decisions and advises agencies in committee subject areas accordingly; prepares and presents proposed objections to full committee; reviews statutes passed each session and calls to the attention of the agencies all those which may require administrative rule promulgation, repeal or amendment.
• Maintains communications with agency heads, or their assigned deputies, assistants, and agency general counsel.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• 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

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.

If an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources.