Magistrate; Civil - Lee

Position: Magistrate (Civil) - Lee County
Description

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS FOR THE 20TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT?

* Great working environment

* Growth and Development Opportunities

* Competitive Benefits Package

* Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick)

* Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualifying Employer

* Tuition Assistance

* Paid Holidays

* Retirement Plan Options

* 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

Key Requirements:

* Juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school.

* Five years of experience in the practice of law and including One year of Civil law required

* Member in good standing with the Florida Bar.

* Judicial/Quasi-judicial experience (preferred)

SUMMARY

This is a professional and responsible quasi-judicial position assigned to Circuit Civil matters. The Magistrate will perform a variety of duties including deciding the merits of a case, hearing and evaluating evidence and witness credibility, analyzing laws and rules, making findings of fact and conclusions of law, and issuing oral or written decisions to resolve cases. This position requires legal conduct appropriate to the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration and research activities at the trial court level.

The Magistrate will preside over hearings that involve considerable interpretation and judgment in the analysis of legal issues in civil litigation. The Magistrate is responsible for timely preparing and filing reports that include findings of fact, recommendations and conclusions of law. This position is required to report monthly statistics, meet court performance standards and perform administrative duties directly related to the activities of a Magistrate.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Judge, Administrative Judge, Civil Judges and Civil/Family Division Director.

The core functions of this position include:
1) Schedule and Conduct Hearings in Civil Matters Referred by Judge;
2) Analysis of legal issues in civil litigation;
3) Prepare Reports and Recommendations
4) Conduct legal research and writing;
5) Other duties as assigned

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

1. Schedule and Conduct Hearings in Civil Matters Referred by Judge

* Schedule and conduct hearings in matters referred by the Judge which include civil court matters, including Baker Act, Marchman Act and Guardianship proceedings

* Travel to facilities to conduct Baker Act hearings when necessary

* Manage Court proceedings and dockets to assist in progressing the case

* Administer Oaths

* Evaluate Evidence and witness credibility

2. Analyze Legal Issues

* Decide the merits of the case

* Interpret and make judgment on legal issues

* Issue oral and written decisions

* Prepare written reports that include findings of fact, recommendations and conclusion of law

* Type, format and prepare Court reports

3. Conduct Legal Research and Writing

* Prepare reports, draft orders, review briefs and research substantive and procedural issues

* Research the application and interpretation of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and Rules of Judicial Administration

* Perform research on particular questions of law as presented by Civil Court Judges

* Conduct legislative research and tracking of legislation applicable to the court as it pertains to civil cases

* Perform research on particular questions of law as presented by Judges sitting in the civil division of the Court

* Conduct legal research, provide case recommendations and conclusions of law to Judges, and submit Orders Adopting

4. Other duties as assigned

* Attend Meetings, training, and educational seminars as required

* Compile basic statistical reports

* Other duties as assigned

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. A full-time Magistrate cannot have a law practice while employed with the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Part-time or on-call Magistrate positions cannot maintain a law practice in the same area of law in which they perform Magistrate functions or in any area of law which would create any appearance of impropriety or any potential conflict of interest.

Knowledge of:

* Civil Legal principles, statutes, case law, court rules and procedures

* Legal publications and legal research tools and the ability to use them efficiently

* Legal principles, statutory and case law, court rules and procedures

* Code of Judicial conduct

* Florida State Courts System

Skills:

* Manual legal research

* Good computer skills which include computerized legal research,…