ADVOCATE/INVESTIGATOR or Attorney Needed. The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc. has an opening for an Advocacy/Investigator or an Attorney on its Institutional Conditions Team. The Advocacy/Investigator candidate would possess a Bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation, social work, mental health counseling, education, or a related social service, and at least four years of advocacy or related experience. Education beyond a four-year degree can substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis, not to exceed three years. The Attorney candidate would possess a Law degree from an accredited law school & be a member in good standing with The Florida Bar. Knowledge of state and federal laws relating to civil rights and human services and other related public interest law is required. This position will be responsible for delivery of advocacy or legal services provided by the Advocacy Center. This position may engage in complex litigation, individual representation, community education and outreach, policy advocacy and other services relating to disability issues. See Web site posting www.advocacycenter.org to apply on-line. The closing date for application is May 15, 2008. Outstanding benefits package to include 401k. EOE, DFWP.

TALLAHASSEE PLAINTIFF’S employment/civil rights firm seeks associate with social conscience and work ethic. Chance to do well by doing good. Litigation experience preferred. Research & writing skills a must. Start in summer. Pay history and resume to richard@employee-rights.net. See also http://employee-rights.net.

HOLLYWOOD: CIVIL practice including general litigation, mortgage foreclosure, community association, and class action law. Florida Bar membership and minimum one year litigation experience required. Must be a South Florida resident. TimeMatters proficiency preferred. Compensation based upon experience and any portable client base. Send resume and salary requirements to News Box # 527.

AV-RATED SARASOTA surety, construction and commercial litigation firm seeks associate with 1-3 years experience in its areas of practice. Outstanding academic credentials and successful employment history required. Construction, engineering, or architectural undergraduate degree preferred. Position offers successful candidate top salary and benefits along with immediate client contact and case responsibility. Respond to dgurley@gurleydramislazo.com.

CENTRAL FLORIDA “A-V” Rated law firm seeks two (2) highly qualified attorneys: One (1) to practice in commercial litigation and one (1) to practice in governmental/land use and transactional work. Candidates must have excellent writing skills and the ability to make effective presentations. The firm offers very competitive salaries and benefits. Please submit resumes to bcrum@zimmetunice.com.

CITY ATTORNEY, West Melbourne, FL (population 15,000). The ideal candidate will be an attorney with a high degree of integrity and municipal experience with particular expertise in land use, environment, personnel and regulatory matters. Full details appear at www.cb-asso.com under “Active recruitments.” E-mail applications to RecruitThree@cb-asso.com. The position is open until filled with the first screening on April 28th. Questions should be addressed to Colin Baenziger at 561-707-3537.

JACKSONVILLE AREA Legal Aid: Staff Attorney Opening. A Staff Attorney position for JALA’s St. John’s County Office in historic St. Augustine is available. A successful applicant will provide legal services in various areas of law within legal aid priorities (housing, consumer, public benefits, etc.) in administrative, judicial and legislative forums. Strong written and verbal communication skills, detail orientation and ability to relate with the public. Begins June 1, 2008. Salary: DOE; excellent benefits. To apply: Please send a cover letter describing interests and experience, a resume, three references and writing sample to: Kathryn Jackson, HR Director, kathryn.jackson@jaxlegalaid.org.

The Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Florida is seeking 1L and 2L law students for its 2008 summer internship program. Law students accepted into the program will gain valuable experience by participating in all aspects of federal criminal defense including interviewing and counseling clients, case planning, discovery, motion practice, trial preparation, trial and appellate representation. 

Certified Legal Interns may be permitted to appear on behalf of clients in the United States Magistrate Courts. 

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter and writing sample to:

Darlene M. Geiger
Federal Public Defender, Middle District of Florida
Kress Building - Suite 301
1514 Broadway Street
Ft. Myers, FL 33901-3019

The Florida Senate Internship Program offers a unique training opportunity in the areas of public policy and the legislative process to highly motivated, recent college graduates and graduate students, who wish to learn more about such areas.

The Program places 12 to 15 selected interns in one of a number of Senate standing committees comprised of Senators, who evaluate and debate legislation in areas within the committees’ jurisdiction. Each committee retains a staff director, one or more legislative analysts/attorneys, and an administrative assistant. Selected interns will perform professional work as committee analysts by preparing reports and bill analyses and will assist committee staff with substantive/policy research by conducting Internet research; conducting library research; contacting state agencies for documents or other items; and tracking legislation as it moves through the Senate and the House of Representatives.  

Internships will begin on August 4th and end May 29th of the following year. Internships are available as OPS (no benefits) positions, allowing flexibility for school schedules. During the length of the internship, interns should be able to work at least 20 to 24 hours per week from August through December, and 32 to 40 hours per week from January through May.

Successful candidates will chose one of the following options:

• $16 per hour worked, or

• $11 per hour worked plus $6468 towards tuition, which may be used during the internship or for one year after the internship ends (requires a commitment to work at least 1100 total hours).

Compensation figures are subject to change. The Senate will provide a parking space and waive monthly parking fees for all interns.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants for the Program must be Florida residents and have earned a Bachelor’s degree by the time the internship begins. In addition, the applicant must intend to pursue, be in the process of pursuing, or have recently completed a graduate program by the time the internship begins. Preference will be given to those applicants pursuing a graduate degree in a public Florida university.

In accordance with American Bar Association rules, schedules for first-year law students prohibit them from participating in the Internship Program. Immediate family members of Senators presently serving in the Senate are not eligible for the Program.

The most important qualities of any intern, regardless of academic or professional experience, are strong communication skills, intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm. Skills that are important for the internship are knowledge of the principles and techniques of basic research, analysis, and writing; and ability to handle confidential information.

Individual Committee Skill Requirements

Different standing committees have different requirements.

For example:

The Committee on Commerce seeks individuals with experience or interest in the areas of economic development, workforce, tourism, international trade and a wide variety of other business related subjects. Academic backgrounds well suited for this committee include: economics, economic development, finance, business, public administration and law.

The Committee on Agriculture seeks individuals with an academic background or practical experience in agriculture or a related area. Applicant must be seeking a masters degree or law degree with at least one year of school completed.

The Bill Drafting Office seeks a 2nd or 3rd year law student who has completed the 1st year of Legal Research and Writing course and who is interested in the legislative process. Since the office’s work involves a large amount of legal research, an intern candidate other than a law student would gain very little from the experience and would require a great deal of training. The successful applicant will have a strong background in writing, i.e., experience as a graduate teaching or research assistant, or undergraduate major in English or Creative Writing, or other experience providing evidence that the candidate writes well and enjoys writing.

The Committee on Transportation seeks an intern with an academic background or practical experience in transportation or a related area, who is seeking a masters degree or law degree and has completed one year of school.

The Committee on General Government Appropriations seeks an individual with an interest in the appropriations process, specifically in the areas of government administration, environment and agriculture. The intern should have experience with Excel. Interns with various academic backgrounds, from law to economics and from social work to history have been successful. 

For additional information regarding all committees, please visit www.flsenate.gov.

Application Directions

Applicants must submit a completed Florida Legislative Employment Application, available at www.leg.state.fl.us, and the application addendum. Type or print legibly in black ink.

Applicants must also submit one copy of cumulative transcripts (photocopies may be submitted). If accepted into a graduate program, applicant must attach a copy of the acceptance letter or, if applicable, proof of current enrollment in a public Florida law school. In addition, if taken, the applicant must submit a copy of Law School Admission Test ("LSAT") score(s), Graduate Record Examination ("GRE") score(s) or Graduate Management Admission Test ("GMAT") score. 

Applicants must also submit recommendations from two faculty members and one employer, if currently or previously employed, who are familiar with applicant’s academic and work experience and ability. Faculty/employers may attach an additional letter of recommendation to the appropriate forms, if desired. Completed recommendations must be received no later than 5:00 P.M. on May 16, 2008.