General Counsel

Florida Board of Bar Examiners

Classification Description

The statements within this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. This description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the personnel assigned to this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.

Classification Title: General Counsel

Department: Office of General Counsel

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Range: $116,000 - $197,000

Reports to: Executive Director

General Statement of Job

A full-time attorney who: represents the Florida Board of Bar Examiners in matters before the Florida Supreme Court and in federal litigation; advises on legal compliance in applicant investigation and the administration of the bar examination; contributes to the development of rules, policies, and procedures; supervises and participates in the creation of content for the Florida portion of the bar examination; and performs general legal work to support the board and Executive Director as described below.

Job Location and Travel

This position is based at the board’s office in Tallahassee, Florida. It is not a remote position. The position requires travel to up to five (5) in-person board meetings and two (2) exam grading conferences every year.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association
• Excellent academic credentials
• Member of The Florida Bar
• At least ten (10) years of experience as a practicing attorney with significant experience in civil, criminal, or administrative litigation

Essential Job Functions

• Represents board in applicant matters before the Florida Supreme Court, including filing briefs, reports and recommendations, motions, and other filings for the board
• Works with outside counsel to litigate matters in federal court
• Prepares and litigates rule change petitions in Florida Supreme Court
• Prepares reports for board regarding proposed rule and policy changes
• Attends monthly board meetings and committee meetings when requested by Executive Director or the board
• Drafts legal memoranda as needed for Executive Director or the board
• Drafts, researches, and edits essay and multiple-choice questions for Florida Bar Examination
• Recruits authors for essay and multiple-choice questions and edits their content
• Supervises timely grading of Florida Bar Examination essays, including leading readers’ calibration conference after the examination
• Advises on Americans with Disabilities Act compliance for character and fitness investigations, test accommodations, and examination administration
• Supervises lawyers in Office of General Counsel responsible for presenting cases at formal hearings, including providing advice on Specifications, evidentiary issues, consent judgments and case strategy
• Leads questioning at investigative hearings and finalizes Notices to Appear at Investigative Hearing
• Reviews applicant files and provides legal commentary as requested by Executive Director, Director of Investigations, or Director of Examinations
• Drafts correspondence to applicants on matters involving legal research or argument
• Advises on routine legal matters such as employment law issues, contract review, and insurance-related matters
• Performs other duties as required to promote legal compliance and execute litigation strategy

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Excellent research and legal writing skills
• Must be committed to fairness and equal justice under the law
• Must be committed to the ethical and professional standards governing the conduct of an attorney
• Must be courteous and civil with excellent administrative abilities
• Demonstrate moral character equal to that of applicants for admission to the Bar whose background investigation is cleared without review by members of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners
• Maintain strict confidentiality of information as required by the Rules of the Supreme Court Relating to Admissions to the Bar

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to read, speak, write, and understand English
• Knowledge of trial procedures and techniques, including rules of evidence and examination of witnesses
• Knowledge of fundamental principles of law and their application
• Ability to communicate persuasively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to manage high-volume workload
• Ability to supervise background investigations
• Ability to conduct witness interviews and depositions
• Ability to think logically and solve problems
• Ability to discern and recommend needed changes to board policies, procedures, and rules to ensure compliance with developments in the law
• Ability to discern and develop facts and evidence in support of Specifications
• Ability to make orderly and effective presentation of testimony and evidence
• Ability to perform in-depth legal research
• Ability to draft bar examination content
• Ability to assess statistical performance of bar examination questions
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Physical Requirements

• Speaking, writing, and visual and mental acuity are required.
• This work is sedentary in nature with some repetitive motion.