Appellate Secretary, Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office

The Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office is a constitutional entity dedicated to ensuring justice for indigent individuals in Palm Beach County, Florida. The office provides high-quality legal representation to those charged with criminal offenses who cannot afford an attorney, handling approximately 30,000 cases annually. It also manages appeals to the Fourth District Court of Appeal from the 15th, 17th, and 19th judicial circuits.

About the role

This position supports the appellate division by performing secretarial and administrative tasks critical to the preparation and filing of appellate briefs and related documents.

Responsibilities

• Answer phone calls from clients and family members.
• Prepare correspondence and transmittal letters.
• Locate clients in the Department of Corrections or county jail.
• Format notices, motions, and appellate briefs.
• Assemble appendices for appellate filings.
• Communicate with the Office of the Attorney General regarding extensions, motions, and other procedural matters.
• Schedule and coordinate legal calls with the Florida Department of Corrections.
• Calculate and calendar due dates for briefs, responses, and supplemental records.
• Use ACIS (Appellate Case Information System) to download supplemental records, orders, and other case-related documents.
• Navigate the Florida Courts E-Filing portal for electronic filing.
• Print appellate records and use PitneyShips for mailing.
• Upload all documents to the case management system (STAC), update case notes, and log events.

Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Word.
• Experience with Adobe Acrobat and Foxit for PDF handling.
• Familiarity with case management systems and e-filing portals.