Description

The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), led by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, is hiring Senior Attorneys and Attorneys for its Financial Accountability, Contracts & Rulemaking, Litigation and Special Projects, and Workers’ Compensation sections. DFS Senior Attorneys work on a sophisticated portfolio with a high degree of private-sector relevance, and DFS Attorney positions provide training and experience for those newer to the practice of law. The minimum salary for Senior Attorneys is $77,250.00 with benefits (state health insurance and retirement contributions) worth approximately $25,708 (per DMS). The minimum salary for Attorneys is $66,950.00 with benefits (state health insurance and retirement contributions) worth approximately $23,260 (per DMS). There is no billing requirement for any of the positions and all positions are located in Tallahassee. 

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Leave (annual, sick, administrative) benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one personal holiday each year
• State group insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, see www.myfrs.com)
• Flexible spending accounts
• Tuition waivers
• Florida Bar annual dues, contingent upon agency approval

The Financial Accountability section provides legal counsel and support to the Department’s Divisions of Unclaimed Property, Accounting & Auditing, and Treasury in a wide range of subject matters spanning from business law, unclaimed property, governmental accounting, constitutional issues, and litigation and dispute resolution in a variety of administrative and civil proceedings. Attorneys in this section have the opportunity to draft legislation and rules, analyze legislation, research and anticipate risk on emerging legal issues, consult with governmental agencies on best legal practices, and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases in a collegial atmosphere. The ideal candidate is a team player with excellent research, problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills. Department attorneys have no billing requirements, enjoy a great work/life balance, and receive excellent benefits.

The Contracts & Rulemaking section represents DFS and its 13 divisions in primarily transactional matters. Attorneys will assist with contract drafting and negotiating to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws. Attorneys play a key role in competitive solicitations pursuant to chapters 120 and 287, Florida Statutes, by providing legal counsel to the contracting divisions and the Office of Purchasing and Contractual Services. Attorneys also handle all aspects of rule promulgation for DFS.

The Litigation & Special Projects section seeks a Final Orders Attorney. The ideal candidate is someone who possesses exceptional research and writing skills to draft Department final orders and support other section responsibilities. The Litigation & Special Projects section represents the CFO and the Department in civil and administrative litigation and provides legal counsel to the Divisions of Risk Management and Consumer Services, Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate, and the Office of the Inspector General. This section also handles personnel litigation, including oversight of outside counsel, and special projects.  Attorneys in this section are involved in challenging and often high-profile matters which includes representation in state and federal trial and appellate courts, formal and informal administrative hearings, and other tribunals. This section is responsible for all Department final orders and attorneys often provide briefings for senior leadership. Attorneys in the Litigation & Special Projects section enjoy a high caliber, dynamic law practice without billable hours, which allows for an excellent work/life balance.

The Workers’ Compensation section represents the Division of Workers’ Compensation, specifically in protecting the public from the immediate danger to public health, safety, and welfare posed by employers who fail to protect their workers by providing workers' compensation coverage. Attorneys will quickly have responsibility for their own litigation caseload of administrative enforcement cases, including developing case strategy, conducting discovery, negotiating settlements, and representing the Department at the DOAH. Attorneys also handle appellate litigation, rule challenges, and advise the Division in the areas of medical services, self-insurance, injured employee assistance, and legislative analysis.

Temporary Special Project OPS Position

This 30 hour per week OPS position will function as a paralegal/administrative assistant for a special project in the Office of the General Counsel.  It involves assisting in the opening and closing of case files, preparing and proofreading legal documents and pleadings, such as petitions, orders, motions, notices, briefs, subpoenas, administrative rules, agreements, and correspondence as directed by attorneys, arranging for service of process and/or publication, reviewing and preparing requests for assignment closures and processing closed files in compliance with public records law, docketing case activities into the Department’s legal tracking system on a daily basis, reviewing mail and docket correspondence and pleadings, and processing a variety of correspondence.  The position will utilize the Criminal Justice Information System, which requires successful background screening (which includes fingerprinting). The duration of the position is indefinite but is expected to last six months or more. This position pays an hourly rate of $25.00 per hour.

For details, contact Beverley Dixon at Beverley.dixon@myfloridacfo.com.