Assistant General Counsel

The assistant general counsel will perform a wide range of technical legal work to include, but not limited to; extensive legal drafting and review of contracts, leases, mutual aid agreements, and memorandums of understandings, litigation of civil forfeiture actions and risk protection orders, in-service training to law enforcement and corrections deputies, public speaking engagements on behalf of the sheriff's office, legislation and case law updates, employee disciplinary hearings, advising on public records requests, drafting and arguing a variety of motions before the circuit and county court, review and development of internal policies and procedures, working with our human resources bureau on employee issues, and other duties as assigned by the sheriff or general counsel.

The Assistant General Counsel is responsible for the legal work of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office which will include but is not limited to:

• Conducting extensive legal drafting and review of contracts, leases, mutual aid agreements, memorandums of understanding, and pleadings, etc.
• Litigating Civil Asset Forfeiture actions, Risk Protection Orders, and other various litigation matters including drafting and arguing a variety of motions before the circuit and county courts.
• Conducting in-service training to civilians, law enforcement deputies, and corrections deputies.
• Appearing at public speaking engagements on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office.
• Providing legislative and case law updates.
• Representing the Sheriff’s Office in employee disciplinary hearings.
• Advising on public records requests.
• Reviewing and developing internal policies and procedures.
• Conducting legal research.
• Advising on employment law issues.
• Working on other duties as assigned by the General Counsel or Sheriff.

• Must possess Juris Doctorate.
• Must be admitted to the Florida Bar with no prior disciplinary actions.
• Must possess a minimum of 5 years of related experience as a licensed attorney (preference will be given to applicants with strong writing skills, with prior employment law, car accident defense, law enforcement/corrections, and prosecution experience).
• Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License.
• Must possess the ability to conduct independent legal research and writing.
• Must possess trial advocacy skills (rules of evidence, rules of discovery, civil and criminal procedure).
• Must provide list of trial experience (designate 1^st and 2^nd chair; Jury and Non-Jury).
• Must provide list of professional legal references.
• Must provide 2 writing samples.
• Must submit to and pass a complete background investigation, credit check, criminal history check, polygraph, and fingerprint submission.