Lead Attorney - Capital Defender Office Fort Lauderdale

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Job location
110 SE 6th Street
Suite 701
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Capital Collateral Regional Counsel - South
Street address: 
110 SE 6th Street, Suite 701
City: 
Fort Lauderdale
State: 
Florida
ZIP: 
33301
Job type: 
Legal - Defender
Position Description: 

Position Description:
The CCRC-South office is responsible for investigating, filing and litigating state postconviction motions for indigent death row inmates in the Florida trial courts, carrying forward appeals to the Florida Supreme Court, and preparing, filing and litigating habeas corpus petitions in the federal courts, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. The position is a litigation/appellate hybrid offering opportunities for motion practice, courtroom hearings, appellate briefing and appellate oral argument. The Lead attorney will work in a government office setting along with other full and part time experienced senior capital litigators and second chair attorneys who have varying capital postconviction experience. Cases are assigned within CCRC-S in a team concept. Each client has a different legal team which includes a Lead attorney, at least one second chair attorney, and an in-house investigator. Attorneys work closely with their team, clients, witnesses and experts to effectively challenge the conviction and sentence. Each case is assigned to an individual team. CCRC-S’s cases usually originate in South Florida in the 11th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 19th and 20th Judicial Circuits, however conflict case appointments may arise from anywhere in Florida.
Requirements:
The qualified candidate must meet the requirements of Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.112(k). The Rule requires a minimum of membership in any bar for at least five years and at least three years of experience in the field of postconviction litigation. The candidate must also have participated in a combined total of five proceedings, including capital trials, capital sentencings, capital postconviction evidentiary hearings, capital collateral postconviction appeals and capital federal habeas proceedings. At least two of the five required proceedings must be postconviction or federal habeas proceedings. Current membership in the Florida Bar is preferred, but highly qualified out-of-state attorney candidates who commit to sitting for the Florida Bar examination are encouraged to apply. NOTE: Frequent travel throughout the State of Florida is a necessary part of this position.

Salary and Benefits:
Salary is DOE (depending on experience). The position offers full State benefits including, but not limited to: Annual and Sick Leave benefits; 11 Paid holidays (some years include additional days depending how the calendar falls), and one Personal Holiday each year; State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance option; Retirement plan options, including employer contributions; Flexible Spending Accounts; and Tuition waivers.
Additional Information on the Florida Retirement System can be found at: www.myfrs.com and for a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

Requirements: 

The qualified candidate must meet the requirements of Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.112(k). The Rule requires a minimum of membership in any bar for at least five years and at least three years of experience in the field of postconviction litigation. The candidate must also have participated in a combined total of five proceedings, including capital trials, capital sentencings, capital postconviction evidentiary hearings, capital collateral postconviction appeals and capital federal habeas proceedings. At least two of the five required proceedings must be postconviction or federal habeas proceedings. Current membership in the Florida Bar is preferred, but highly qualified out-of-state attorney candidates who commit to sitting for the Florida Bar examination are encouraged to apply. NOTE: Frequent travel throughout the State of Florida is a necessary part of this position.

To apply: 

Send a current resume, a writing sample, and at least three references to: Suzanne Keffer, Capital Collateral Regional Counsel-South, 110 SE 6th Street, Suite 701, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Or email to [email protected]. No telephone calls please.

Notes: 
CCRC South is a State of Florida agency, and the State of Florida is an equal opportunity employer.
Salary range: 
Dependent on Experience
Submission deadline: 
Monday, May 1, 2023