Administrative Magistrate

About This Role

This administrative magistrate position involves setting and conducting hearings, making legal determinations in family law, civil, mental health, and juvenile matters, and preparing recommended orders for judges. The role also includes supervising other magistrates, child support hearing officers, and their assistants, ensuring compliance with office policies, and maintaining communication between the Magistrate Division and court administration.

Responsibilities

• Schedule cases and conduct bench trials and hearings
• Rule on questions of jurisdiction, standing, discovery, and admission of evidence, and apply facts to substantive statutes and rules
• Prepare recommended orders for the referring judge's signature at the conclusion of hearings
• Supervise six Magistrates, two Child Support Hearing Officers, and eight administrative assistants
• Participate in the selection, hiring, training, and counseling of Magistrates, Hearing Officers, and their assigned assistants
• Review judges' orders of referral and recommended orders submitted by attorneys
• Consider and analyze related legal research and evidence presented at hearing or trial
• Provide relevant statutory and case law updates to the Magistrates and Hearing Officers
• Attend technical and professional classes, workshops, seminars, or conferences to improve professional skills
• Participate in various CLE panels to educate Magistrates, Hearing Officers, judicial assistants, magistrate assistants, and lawyers
• Draft, amend, and edit relevant administrative orders and forms utilized by the Circuit
• Perform administrative tasks such as reviewing monthly case management reports and data for all Magistrate/Hearing Officer assignments
• Conduct and attend staff meetings to share information
• Conduct meetings with Court partners such as the Clerk, Department of Revenue, Office of Regional Counsel, Office of the Public Defender, Office of the State Attorney, Baker Act facilities, and the managing entity responsible for Marchman Acts

Requirements

• Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school
• Admittance to the Florida Bar
• At least five years of experience as a licensed attorney
• Litigation experience (ideal candidate)
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply Florida statutes, case law, and Florida rules of Court
• Knowledge of the rules of evidence and the ability to take evidence
• Ability to work with litigants who are in stressful situations
• Knowledge of civil procedure
• Ability to conduct legal research
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment