Do you want to be a top-notch litigator fighting on behalf of children to secure a better future for them?
The Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office (PD-11) seeks a zealous, experienced, and dedicated litigator to represent children in its new and transformational One Child, One Attorney initiative. Our law firm is a nationally recognized leader in indigent and children’s defense. Our team members are committed to our law firm’s mission and core values of a culture of excellence, client-centered representation, and tenacious advocacy.
Trial experience and outstanding legal research and writing skills preferred. Potential starting salary for an attorney with at least 3 years’ experience handling progressively more complex felony cases, may be $65,000, or higher depending on experience, qualifications, and available funding.
OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION
The One Child, One Attorney initiative is an innovative vertical representation model wherein assigned attorneys advocate for their young clients in all related court matters. The model leads to meaningful and lasting attorney-client relationships and continuity of representation across cases throughout the client’s childhood.
The One Child, One Attorney initiative has five major components – 1) vertical representation on individual cases as well as continuous representation (the same attorney defending the same child across court divisions) in delinquency, dependency, Baker Act, and adult court, 2) specialized juvenile attorneys on long-term assignment to the Children’s Defense Division, 3) expanded legal and social service linkages to connect clients and their families to evidence-based assessments and treatment, 4) National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) best practices Florida-specific immersive attorney training program, and 5) data-informed practices.
For the One Child, One Attorney initiative, PD-11 expects to hire and retain experienced, highly skilled, specialized, well-trained attorneys to serve on long-term assignment in the Children’s Defense Division. These attorneys provide exceptional comprehensive representation to the “whole” child in multiple case categories from appointment through case closure. Attorneys work in a team-oriented environment. Attorneys must be able to balance a child-centered approach to representation with advocacy to address systemic inequity and the collateral consequences that lead to deeper system involvement. In essence, we have reimaged what children’s defense can and should be and we are looking for top trial lawyers committed to children to join our team.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Advocate for and represent children and young people in all aspects of delinquency, dependency, Baker Act and direct file cases;
• Advocate and represent clients in detention and other facilities;
• Identify and advocate for solutions to systemic issues – including but not limited to disproportionate minority contact with the juvenile justice system, challenges faced by LGBTQ clients, gender-based disparities, unconstitutional police practices, the school to prison pipeline, and the immigration consequences of an arrest;
• Work collaboratively with social workers, case managers, mental health and educational professionals to assist clients and their families in matters related to housing, education, school discipline, mental health, and other matters affecting the child-client or the child’s case;
• Investigate, develop, and litigate novel and cutting-edge legal arguments;
• Competently, independently, and resourcefully manage a full caseload;
• Communicate in an open, constructive, and professional manner with clients, family members, attorneys, supervisors, team members, and judicial and community partners.
ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES & SKILLS:
• Is committed to children’s defense;
• Thinks creatively and is comfortable with innovation;
• Displays dynamic and compelling public speaking and presentation skills;
• Demonstrates excellent legal and policy research and writing skills;
• Demonstrates the ability to independently manage a diverse caseload;
• Possesses excellent interpersonal and communications skills;
• Demonstrates a commitment to displaying kindness, respect, and service to colleagues and the children justice community.
TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must be an active member in good standing of The Florida Bar;
• Demonstrated commitment to and passion for defending children;
• Must be willing to commit to three-year placement in the Children’s Defense Division;
• Experience in children’s advocacy;
• A comprehensive understanding of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems and related policies and systems;
• Extensive litigation and trial experience;
• Criminal trial experience preferred, specific experience representing children strongly preferred;
• Knowledge of Florida juvenile law and the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure;
• Knowledge, training, and experience related to adolescent development, neuroscience, education, mental health treatments, and best practices for juvenile rehabilitation;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment;
• Ability to work independently, and effectively manage an active and diverse caseload;
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with colleagues and partners from diverse backgrounds and cultures;
• Proven ability to work efficiently, timely, and with flexibility in high-pressure situations;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including possessing the cultural competence necessary to collaborate with diverse staff, client base, and stakeholder groups. Proven expertise communicating with children and adolescence strongly preferred;
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in organizational settings;
• Comfortable working within secured detention facilities, prisons, and jails.
HOW TO APPLY -
Your application and materials will be reviewed to determine compliance with application requirements, level of position-relevant work experience, education, and training. After that review, you may be required to participate in a selection interview.
Please do not mail or fax applications.
The office is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants will be considered irrespective of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or political affiliation.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or the People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
Veterans are encouraged to apply.
Due to the volume of applications, please do not call or make inquiries via email.
EXTERNAL (LATERAL HIRE) CANDIDATES
Complete the Employment Application online https://miamidadecounty.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3wohZzlK2Snagbb then, please submit the following in PDF format to Hr@pdmiami.com.
1. Statement of interest and responses to the Candidate Questionnaire,
2. Resume,
3. Writing sample (preferably one used in a juvenile delinquency case). Less than 10 pages please.
CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
1. If selected, how many years are you willing to commit to serving as a One Child Attorney?
2. Why do you want to serve on the One Child team?
3. Do you have any education or training in child education, welfare, adolescent development, trauma or other relevant subject? Please describe.
4. Do you have child defense/advocacy experience? Please describe.
5. Do you have dependency experience? Please describe.
6. How many criminal or delinquency cases to verdict/adjudication have you tried as a first chair?
7. How many criminal or delinquency cases to verdict/adjudication have you tried as second chair?
8. Have you worked with children in a professional environment?
9. What qualities must a One Child attorney possess?
10. What makes you an excellent candidate for the One Child initiative?
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
