Job Opening: Certified Legal Intern
The Public Defender for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida seeks law student applicants for Certified Legal Intern positions in a fast-paced, client-centered office.
The Public Defender is an elected official who has a constitutional duty to provide legal representation to persons in jeopardy of losing their life or liberty who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Our office employs nearly 230 lawyers plus investigators, mitigation specialists, secretaries, and paralegals to assist with the more than 65,000 cases we handle each year. We recruit locally and nationally with just one goal in mind: To assemble a diverse team of outstanding men and women from all racial and ethnic backgrounds who are able to provide high-quality representation to our clients.
The CLI program is limited to students who meet the certification requirements set by the Supreme Court of Florida. CLIs are certified by Florida’s Supreme Court to represent our clients under the direct supervision of a Florida attorney (an APD). Extensive litigation training provided that exceeds what is offered at other public sector and private law firms.
Position Types: Part-time/Full time, or OPS, Certified Legal Intern position. Benefits depend on number of hours worked.
The Public Defender is an elected official who has a constitutional duty to provide legal representation to persons in jeopardy of losing their life or liberty who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Our office employs nearly 230 lawyers plus investigators, mitigation specialists, secretaries, and paralegals to assist with the more than 65,000 cases we handle each year. We recruit locally and nationally with just one goal in mind: To assemble a diverse team of outstanding men and women from all racial and ethnic backgrounds who are able to provide high-quality representation to our clients.
The CLI program is limited to students who meet the certification requirements set by the Supreme Court of Florida. CLIs are certified by Florida’s Supreme Court to represent our clients under the direct supervision of a Florida attorney (an APD). Extensive litigation training provided that exceeds what is offered at other public sector and private law firms.
Position Types: Part-time/Full time, or OPS, Certified Legal Intern position. Benefits depend on number of hours worked.
Pay and benefits for CLIs working at least 20 hours a week or 80 hrs. a month
- $26 an hour in a state position
- Extensive onboarding, ongoing training and supervision
- Handle your own (limited) caseload
- Litigate and speak on the record in court proceedings
- Paid holidays
- Sick leave
- Earn incentive paid incentive leave credit for bar study if hired for a post-graduate APD position
- Earn $28 an hour while in law school after being hired for a post-graduation position.
Pay for CLIs working less than 20 hours a week or 80 hrs. a month
- $26 an hour, in an OPS position
- Extensive onboarding, ongoing training and supervision
- Handle your own (limited) caseload
- Litigate and speak on the record in court proceedings
- OPS employees do not earn incentive leave for Florida Bar exam study
- The State of Florida does not authorize payment for holidays, annual or sick leave for OPS employees.
Job Expectations Synopsis
Certified Legal Interns are accountable for providing high-quality representation to our clients and continuously learning under the supervision of an attorney. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Preparing each case efficiently and diligently
- Advising and counseling each client
- Establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with each client
- Thorough and timely documentation
- Effective and efficient use of investigators, mitigation and placement specialists and other support staff
- Seeking assistance from experts appropriate to the case
- Demonstrating a professional demeanor
- Exercising sound judgment to achieve desired results after thorough preparation
Pay and Benefits for CLIs later hired for an Attorney position
- $68,000 upon admission to the Florida bar following the July 2023 bar exam
- Raises upon meeting advancement requirements and performance expectations (anticipated salary after one year as an attorney - $75,000)
- Excellent health insurance
- Annual leave – 20 days per year
- Sick leave - 13 days per year
- Paid holidays – 13 days per year
- $25,000 life insurance policy - paid by the State of Florida
- Short-term disability insurance - paid by the State of Florida
- Optional employee-paid supplement insurance plans available (additional life insurance, vision, dental, cancer, hospitalization, and disability)
- State retirement benefits - vesting after 8 years in pension plan or after 1 year for the investment plan
- Deferred compensation – option of saving a portion of your monthly salary in a tax-sheltered account
- Extensive training and CLE credits
- Florida Bar dues reimbursed by the office
Requirements & Qualifications
- 3L applicants who have successfully completed a law school litigation clinic or externship prior to graduation in which the applicant was authorized to provide direct representation for academic credit
- Law school graduates can apply but must be licensed to practice law in the State of Florida to be considered
- Excellent verbal, computer, and communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely
- Bilingual skills: English/Spanish and/or English/Creole helpful but not required
- Participation in a law school trial advocacy course or litigation skills program preferred
- Willingness to interview clients in jails and juvenile detention facilities
- Valid Florida Driver’s License, proof of automobile insurance and reliable vehicle, as travel is required.
How to Apply
Complete an Application for Employment and submit your resume, cover letter and writing sample, all in PDF format, to jobs@pdmiami.com. Please include information in your cover letter to support your qualifications for this position. Veterans are encouraged to apply.
Due to the volume of applications, please do not call or make inquiries via email.
Due to the volume of applications, please do not call or make inquiries via email.
How you will be evaluated
Your submitted application materials will be reviewed to determine compliance with application requirements, level of position-relevant work experience, education and training.
After your application materials have been reviewed, you may be required to participate in a selection interview. Candidates who do not reside in Miami-Dade County may be interviewed initially via Zoom or other electronic means.
The State of Florida 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.